The UK’s Humber Bridge gets protected status

Any refurbishments to the Humber Bridge near the northern English city of Hull will be subject to intense scrutiny after being designated a historic site. The bridge - only 36-years old – was the longest single-span suspension bridge for 16 years until it was surpassed in 1998 with completion of Japan’s Akashi Kaikyō Bridge with a main span of 1.9km. The Humber Bridge now ranks eighth-longest as measured by its main span of 1.4km. Historic England, the listed structures designating authority, described the
July 28, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
No alterations, please. We’re protected (photo courtesy Humber Bridge Board)

Any refurbishments to the Humber Bridge near the northern English city of Hull will be subject to intense scrutiny after being designated a historic site.

The bridge - only 36-years old – was the longest single-span suspension bridge for 16 years until it was surpassed in 1998 with completion of Japan’s Akashi Kaikyō Bridge with a main span of 1.9km. The Humber Bridge now ranks eighth-longest as measured by its main span of 1.4km.

Historic England, the listed structures designating authority, described the bridge as a "formidable engineering feat" which "despite its great size and strength has a simple elegance in harmony with the landscape".

The 1.4km bridge is one of nine places being listed in a celebration of Hull's heritage.

It was the longest single-span suspension bridge for 16 years and remains in the top 10 longest spans in the world.

Historic England described it as a "formidable engineering feat", which "despite its great size and strength has a simple elegance in harmony with the landscape".

The bridge now has Grade 1 listed status meaning it is of “special architectural or historic interest”. A listed building or other structure such as a bridge may not be demolished or altered without special permission from local government which often consults a central government agency. Alterations, when permitted, and repairs often must be done with specific materials or techniques to maintain the structure’s original appearance.

Although most structures appearing on the protected lists are buildings, other structures such as bridges, monuments, sculptures, war memorials and even milestones and mileposts are included.

The Humber Bridge joins other bridges on the protected list, including Scotland’s cantilever Forth Rail Bridge near Edinburgh. The bridge, which opened in 1890, is also a 1384 UNESCO Heritage Site.

Among other listed structures is the pedestrian crossing on London’s Abbey Road – iconic because of its appearance on the cover of the Beatles 1969 album of the same name. The album was so named because it was made in Abbey Road studios.

(European bridge update in the forthcoming July/August issue of 3260 World Highways)

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • A history lesson in private public partnerships
    April 12, 2012
    Michel Démarre gives some historical insights into public-private partnerships conceived to implement urban infrastructure projects, a concept that surprisingly dates back to as early as the 13th century! All over the world today, the role of public authorities in the process of planning and, in most cases, designing, financing and procuring urban roads is paramount. Even for modifications to existing roads, decisions are made by these public authorities (usually after due consultation with the population)
    Read More
  • Japan gives $3mn for iron bridges in Papua
    January 6, 2023
    Justin Tkatchenko, foreign affairs minister of Papua New Guinea, said the bridges will allow local populations in remote areas to more easily access health care.
    Read More
  • Bridge savings in Scotland to fund road improvements
    August 27, 2014
    The project to construct the new Forth Crossing close to Scottish capital Edinburgh is looking extremely positive, with cost savings envisaged for the bridge. The Queensferry Crossing scheme now looks to require slightly less funding than had been originally expected when the plans were unveiled in 2011, due in part to tight controls over spending. The bridge costs had been budgeted at close to €2 billion (£1.6 billion) initially but the project now looks likely to cost €1.81 billion (£1.45 billion). The sa
    Read More
  • Indeco cuts up New York City’s old Kosciuszko Bridge
    November 23, 2017
    An Indeco ISS 45/90 is proving essential for demolishing the old Kosciuszko Bridge in New York City. New York City’s old 1.9km Kosciuszko Bridge, which crosses Newtown Creek connecting Green Point, Brooklyn with Maspeth, Queens, has been out of service since April. By the end of the year, the polygonal Warren through-truss structure will be no more. To replace the old bridge, in 2009, the New York State Department of Transportation planned the construction of two cable-stayed replacement bridges.
    Read More

Highlighted Content