In an effort to improve safety plans will be submitted to raise the height of the barriers along the Humber Bridge’s walkways.
The move follows a feasibility study in 2019, regarding how bridge operators dealt with ‘emotionally distressed’ people.
The Humber Bridge Board has agreed to install higher barriers, to reduce the number of suicide attempts.
Richard Hannigan, chair of the Humber Bridge Board, said the new barriers would make the bridge “safer for everyone”.
An allocation of £3m has been proposed for the project, and according to the Board, tolls ‘will not increase’ to pay for the work.
From the BBC, Richard Hannigan, chair of the Humber Bridge Board, said: “Raising the barriers on the Humber Bridge walkways has been the subject of debate for a long time.
“However, finding a solution that doesn’t detrimentally impact on the bridge has always been one of the major challenges.”
“The proposals include adding horizontal wire fencing on top of the existing barriers “to improve welfare for bridge visitors and users, without compromising on the spectacular views”.
Mr Hannigan, who is also deputy leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“The proposed design will provide a sturdy but lightweight extension that will increase the parapets to 2.7m without impacting on the integrity or performance of the bridge.”
“Now we have found a workable solution to raising the walkway barriers, the Board wants to ensure this important work is carried out,” he added.
Image: Humber Bridge Board
