Urgent plea over dangerous rat-run as fate of notorious Hull…

A footbridge at the centre of several violent and fatal crimes in Hull is set to be removed next year, while consultation has begun on a possible replacement. The crossing over the main railway line in and out of Paragon Station connects Walliker Street with Selby Street near Anlaby Road in west Hull. It was closed to pedestrians last October after council inspectors declared it was in a hazardous condition. Hull City Council has confirmed the bridge will be removed and public consultation is under way over any suitable replacement. But concerns have also been raised over pedestrian safety, as Selby Street is used as a rat run between west Hull and the north and east of the city. READ MORE: ‘You’ve got this bro’ – Messages of support flood in as man fights for life Daren Hale, the ward councillor and Labour group leader, has expressed concerns about pedestrians finding an alternative way to get to the other side of the city will face busy and speeding traffic. He said: “There have been plans to rebuild the bridge as it was, but the plans do not seem to be feasible. Even if it is rebuilt it could attract antisocial behaviour and graffiti. But the pressing concern for us now is the safety of pedestrians which need to be implemented now.” Selby Street footbridge is set to be removed in 2023 The current footbridge over the railway is at the centre of Selby Street, but Cllr Hale said any replacement might be to either side, which could place it closer to the level crossing at the junction with St George’s Road. Motorists use Selby Street as a rat run to avoid the level crossing, Cllr Hale added. “Even if the bridge is replaced, there will have been no bridge for a couple of years, so we need other safety measures in place, such as traffic calming and speed restrictions. “There are also schools nearby and we are already in the process of putting speed restriction measures in Woodcock Street. There have already been fatalities in this area. We need Selby Street reducing to a 20mph zone and other measures to slow traffic down. This affects a lot of people in the area and we feel it has to happen now.” Bridge at centre of tragedies The now-closed
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