Councillor backtracks on 'no further overnight closures' on A63 'agreement'

Work continues on the A63 Castle Street project (Image: National Highways)

Despite last week announcing an 'agreement' with National Highways, Cllr Ieronimo has now said that "no agreement has been made on future road closures."

National Highways have refuted claims made by a senior Hull city councillor who said the council and National Highways had an agreement there would be no further overnight closures on the A63.

The recently delayed £355m A63 Castle Street project has been a talking point in the city for years. In November, National Highways announced a series of overnight closures on the stretch of the road between Daltry Street and Roger Millward Way between 8pm and 6am on most weekday evenings though there was a break over the festive period.

The overnight closures were arranged to allow elements of the project which require a crane to be positioned on the road surface to take place without drivers on the carriageway.

The diversion route during overnight closures on the A63 Castle Street (Image: National Highways)

With this set of overnight closures set to come to an end this month, Cllr Mark Ieronimo, Hull City Council 's cabinet portfolio holder for roads and highways, whilst reading from his notes, told councillors at a full council meeting that "the council has had agreement from National Highways that there won't be any further overnight closures on the A63".

Just hours after the news of council's 'agreement' with National Highways was reported on, National Highways contacted the LDRS expressing their surprise at Cllr Ieronimo's claim and emphasised that no such agreement had been made with the council.

A spokesperson from National Highways said: "Discussions remain ongoing about further overnight closures throughout 2025 and they will be shared with the public as soon as they are confirmed."

Despite last week announcing an 'agreement' with National Highways, Cllr Ieronimo has now said that "no agreement has been made on future road closures."

Cllr Ieronimo's full statement reads: "As a council, we're doing everything we can to help minimise the disruption caused by the year-long delay to the A63 works taking place.

"While no agreement has been made on future road closures, the council is working with Highways to look at requirements needed over the coming months.

"We’ll continue to work with Highways and others to make sure this works get completed as fast as possible."