Humber Bridge now open to cyclists & pedestrians

Jdsk
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Jdsk »

Steady rider wrote: 25 Apr 2021, 9:16am https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/19 ... %20of%20it.
130 Protection of public rights.
(1)It is the duty of the highway authority to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway for which they are the highway authority, including any roadside waste which forms part of it
.

Possibly a local court could hear a case of the HBB not following the law. They have their reasons and a case could be made to say they could have taken alternative measures to cater for the situation.
As above. Judicial review isn't performed by "local courts". But you could sue for damages, as with "failure to maintain", and statutory duty would then be very relevant.

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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Steady rider »

I think legal advice may say a case could go forward without damages being part of the case. JR could be a separate option perhaps, or a pre-action protocol could be used, and then decide if either approach should be taken forward.

Covid may have been related to the increase in suicides, but the legal duty is to keep the highway open. They did not consult on alternatives to closing the paths.
Edit correction
Last edited by Steady rider on 25 Apr 2021, 10:41am, edited 1 time in total.
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mjr
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by mjr »

Jdsk wrote: 23 Apr 2021, 7:21pm
Cyril Haearn wrote: 23 Apr 2021, 7:17pm If people may not cross the bridge, they may not be able to get to work, may lose their jobs and decide to take their lives, -99
AIUI according to the Board if they have no other means of transport then pedestrians and cyclists can cross to get to work.
Encouraging cyclists and walkers to switch to driving must be contrary to some DfT network management instructions, surely?
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Jdsk
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Jdsk »

mjr wrote: 25 Apr 2021, 10:28amEncouraging cyclists and walkers to switch to driving must be contrary to some DfT network management instructions, surely?
It's not quite the same line but Cycling UK are pursuing the network management duty with:

As the Act makes clear however, the Board is also the traffic authority for the highway on the bridge, and as such is subject to the network management duty under section 16 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/18/section/16), which includes the duty to manage the road network to “secure the expeditious movement of traffic on the authority’s road network”. That includes, in the context of the Humber Bridge, the movement of cyclists and pedestrians along the footway, yet the Board has used general powers under the Act to bypass its network management duty and prevent both from crossing the bridge.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default ... rd_let.pdf

And that looks like a statutory duty rather than guidance.

Jonathan
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by PaulS »

Response from David Eldridge

I'm sure you will understand this has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone linked with the bridge and the families and friends of the six individuals, who in a cluster over six weeks, sadly and shockingly took their own lives. I support for my part, as the ERYC representative on the board, the temporary closure of the bridge footways in an attempt to break the cycle of these tragic events following consultation with specialist charities and health care experts. I can only assure you we are working as quickly as we can to put measures in place which we hope will minimise the risk of suicide attempts and allow users once more to walk the footways unfettered.

Please could you let me know your feelings on this matter as it stands now, and I will ensure the board are fully appraised of the feelings and concerns raised by you and any other residents within the East Riding, as we work together to open the bridge fully as quickly and as safely as we can.
Regards
Councillor David Elvidge
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by mjr »

PaulS wrote: 26 Apr 2021, 5:33pm Response from David Eldridge
Conspicuous lack of mention of cycling?
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Not good enough. Or could this attitude perhaps be applied to traffic law enforcement? There would not be many vehicles crossing the bridge if that were done
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by gerry84 »

Has anyone pointed out to the bridge owners (?) that the dartford crossing operates transport for cyclists and pedestrians? I went through the first tunnel in 1963 in a specially bus, bikes downstairs and people up. It's different now, but more or less the same, except that the bikes are carried on a trailer. It is free, but you need to get onto the information page. Google something like " dartford crossing bicycles". The service does not operate 24hrs.
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Jdsk »

Today's blog by Cycling UK:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/humber-b ... save-lives

Mostly about suicide barriers. No news on reopening access.

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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by PH »

Copied from facebook
Emma Hardy MP
·
❗❗NEW - Humber Bridge Update - 30th April
Good news!
🔥The additional CCTV cameras have been installed and tested and are working
🏠An Information and Wellbeing Hub (the Hub) is being established to provide information, support and signposting to the public, led by Mind and the Bearded Fishermen.
🚴Over 100 local cyclists have registered as commuters to use the bridge
👍Volunteers are still welcome to put themselves forward
👉Work looking at barriers is still ongoing but of course takes much longer to develop but the Bridge Board do see it as important.
💥The Bridge Board are working really hard and I can't say too much but watch this space for news on the walkway reopening for commuters asap!
Jon Lucas
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Jon Lucas »

What's this obsession with commuters? Don't all pedestrians and cyclists have the same rights?

As many others have said, there are so many easy solutions that could have been put in place temporarily to allow for both pedestrians and cyclists. Why are they making it so difficult for themselves?
markjohnobrien
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by markjohnobrien »

Jdsk wrote: 30 Apr 2021, 6:20pm Today's blog by Cycling UK:
https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/humber-b ... save-lives

Mostly about suicide barriers. No news on reopening access.

Jonathan
Thanks for posting the link.

Good and incisive piece about the long-standing failure of the bridge board to take anti-jumping measures - increasing parapet heights or installing catch nets - and a trial took place in 2009 but budget shelved and no further action.
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thirdcrank
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by thirdcrank »

No obvious news about this on the HBB www which seems to say the footways are still closed. However, there's a banner about roadworks which ended a week ago so the website may not be current.
Jdsk
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Re: Humber Bridge closed to cyclists & pedestrians indefinitely

Post by Jdsk »

Hull Live today:
https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hu ... en-5375316

Includes:
"The bridge will now only operate for pedestrians and cyclists between the hours of 5am and 9pm from Monday to Sunday, with commuters who wish to cross the bridge outside these times required to register in advance."

Jonathan
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