RICE site visit: the A63 Castle Street Junction Improvement Scheme

Overview

This 168th meeting organised by RICE (retired ICE YH members) and lead by RICE member John Turner includes a site visit to the A63 Castle Street Junction Improvement Scheme in Hull plus a walking tour of sights of engineering interest in Hull Old Town and fruit market areas.

A63 Castle Street Works
This visit is hosted by Balfour Beatty and includes a presentation on the £355m scheme which involves lowering the level of the A63 at the Mytongate junction to create a new split-level junction. This will ease congestion as well as improving safety and access to the port. The challenges of working in an area with a rich archaeology and high-water table will be described. Includes a guided walking tour of the site.

Hull Old Town and fruit market area
In the afternoon the group leader will offer a gentle stroll around the oldest areas of Hull which have undergone a regeneration in recent years. The route will take in two recent Yorkshire and Humber award projects, the Hull Humber Frontage Flood Defence Scheme and the Murdoch’s Connection Footbridge over the A63, named after the first female GP in Hull. Walking beside Hull Marina, you will see the horizontal steam engine used to draw vessels up from the Humber and the newly relocated Spurn Light Ship. It's then onto the Old Town for a visit to Hull Minster before returning via the Hull Tidal Surge Barrier.

Refreshments and facilities
Tea and coffee will be available on arrival at the site office. A group booking will be made for an optional lunch at the Minerva, a family run pub adjacent to the waterfront. Those attending will need to make a menu selection in advance and pay individually on the day. The Minster has a café and toilets, strategically located just before our journeys homeward. 

PPE and Accessibility
Fluorescent vests / jackets, safety shoes and protective goggles will be needed for the site visit. When booking, please state if you need any of these items to be provided for your use. Both the site visit and afternoon stroll are on largely flat land with the occasional steps which should present no difficulty to those with average mobility.

Getting there
The site office is on Wellington Street HU1 2DG. It is necessary to exit the A63 to the west of the site as the Smith and Nephews building comes into sight. Specific directions will be provided in advance of the visit. The afternoon tour (and lunch venue) will be accessed from The Deep car park HU1 4DP (£3.75 for five hours). This is a short drive and is well signed from the A63. Again, specific directions will be provided from the site office to regain the A63 facing east.

Catering and payment
Please see the Minerva’s web site and make your choice: The Minerva Pub in Hull

As those attending will have made a menu selection in advance from the above site and will pay individually on the day, RICE will not be involved in any payments.

If you book lunch but later find that you are unable to attend, please inform the Hon Sec as soon as possible. In the event of a late cancellation, i.e. after 5:00pm (17:00) on Monday 05 August 2024, you may be charged the full lunch cost, at the Minerva’s discretion, unless, as a RICE member, the cancellation is due to illness or similar circumstances.

Booking
If you wish to attend this visit, please book by Thursday 01 August 2024. To book please email the regional team at [email protected] (or via the book now button). Following this the RICE hon. secretary Frank O'Dwyer will liaise with you directly and answer any queries you may have. 

Note: RICE (Retired ICE) meetings are open to all members of ICE and to members of other organisations with whom the ICE has a reciprocal arrangement, such as IET and IMechE. Additionally, RICE members may invite a guest to a RICE ordinary meeting, two times in a year.

Programme