During a recent site visit to Drypool Bridge, members of the YORhub team, along side representatives from Hull City Council and the regional director of CECA Yorkshire & the Humber, saw first-hand how early collaboration and framework procurement have supported the successful delivery of this complex refurbishment project.

Hull City Council identified an urgent need to undertake essential repairs to the Grade II listed bascule bridge, which provides a vital transport link between the east and west sides of the city, over the River Hull. To accelerate delivery and reduce the risk of further deterioration, the council approached YORhub to use YORcivil3’s rotation mechanism to appoint Esh Construction, drawing on the contractor’s extensive experience in bridge and structures projects across the region.

The refurbishment presents a number of significant technical and operational challenges. As a live transport route carrying vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge has needed to remain operational for the majority of the programme. The project team has also had to work within a constrained environment beneath the bridge, manage tidal conditions on the River Hull, and carefully protect and refurbish historic structural elements and mechanical components associated with the bridge’s operation.

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) was instrumental in addressing these challenges. By bringing the contractor into the project at an early stage, Hull City Council, Mason Clark Associates and Esh Construction have been able to collaboratively develop construction methodologies, consider access requirements, plan traffic management arrangements, sequence works efficiently and identify project risks before construction commenced. This early engagement helped improve programme certainty and minimise disruption to bridge users and the wider city.

The visit demonstrated the value that YORhub frameworks bring to complex infrastructure projects. Rather than providing a procurement route alone, the framework enabled an integrated team approach from the outset, allowing the client, designer and contractor to combine their expertise to tackle engineering, logistical and operational challenges. Seeing the works in person provided valuable insight into the scale and complexity of the refurbishment, as well as the practical benefits that early collaboration can deliver in achieving successful project outcomes.

YORhub Client Engagement Advisor, Caroline Key, said:

“Perhaps the biggest takeaway from seeing the project in person, was understanding the site constraints and hearing directly from the delivery team, providing a real appreciation of the complexity involved and the difference that early engagement can make. It was also encouraging to see strong social value outcomes being delivered alongside the engineering works, reinforcing YORhub’s commitment to creating wider benefits for local communities.”

The road bridge reopened in both directions on 24 July, with traffic management in place, as minor works continue. No further long-term full closures are expected for the project.

Esh Construction crews are currently carrying out:

• Concrete pours to the northern footway.
• Movement joint installations and waterproofing across the steel lifting span.
• Reconstruction of the locking gear chamber.
• Tidal zone scaffolding works beneath the deck to finish concrete repairs and cathodic protection

The remaining work is being handled on the east side of the bridge and is expected to conclude by winter 2026.

Photos courtesy Esh Construction