The Humber Bridge A Necessary Masterpiece? A Necessary Masterpiece?

Background Information Completed June 24, 1981 Completed June 24, 1981 Located in Hull, England Located in Hull, England Connects Kingston Upon Hull to Barton upon Humber Connects Kingston Upon Hull to Barton upon Humber Longest suspension bridge when opened, now fourth longest Longest suspension bridge when opened, now fourth longest

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Technical Information Clearance above high water 30m (~100 ft) Clearance above high water 30m (~100 ft) Total length of wire 71,000km (~44,000 mi) Total length of wire 71,000km (~44,000 mi) Load in each cable 19,400 tons (~38mil lbs) Load in each cable 19,400 tons (~38mil lbs) Weight of Steel 27,500 tons (~55mil lbs) Weight of Steel 27,500 tons (~55mil lbs) Bridge designed for a lifespan of 120 years Bridge designed for a lifespan of 120 years

Motivations There was a demand for an efficient route for trade across the Humber River since the late 1800’s There was a demand for an efficient route for trade across the Humber River since the late 1800’s Ferry services existed, but they went in and out of business often Ferry services existed, but they went in and out of business often Merchants and businesses needed a better connection Merchants and businesses needed a better connection The economy of Hull was declining and there was little development The economy of Hull was declining and there was little development

Motivations, continued Humber River more central than London for trade with rest of Europe Humber River more central than London for trade with rest of Europe "A Humber Bridge is a national interest because balanced regional development is a national interest.“ "A Humber Bridge is a national interest because balanced regional development is a national interest.“ -Barbara Castle, Minister of Transport -Barbara Castle, Minister of Transport

Options for Project Tunnel proposed in 1872 Tunnel proposed in 1872 Multi-span truss bridge proposed in 1928 Multi-span truss bridge proposed in 1928 Project went nowhere because of Great Depression in USA Project went nowhere because of Great Depression in USA Other possibilities: Other possibilities: Improve ferry service Improve ferry service Other type of bridge Other type of bridge

Options for Project, continued Suspension bridge chosen for two reasons Suspension bridge chosen for two reasons The river bed shifts because of the boats that travel on the Humber. The river bed shifts because of the boats that travel on the Humber. A suspension bridge would avoid the complications of changing conditions in the river and only minimally block the pathway of boats. A suspension bridge would avoid the complications of changing conditions in the river and only minimally block the pathway of boats. Because of the geology and topography of the area, the construction of tunnel would be more expensive Because of the geology and topography of the area, the construction of tunnel would be more expensive

Costs Estimated to cost £28m (~$45m) Estimated to cost £28m (~$45m) Construction cost £98m (~$160m) Construction cost £98m (~$160m) By 1981, when bridge opened, bridge debt with loan charges was already £151m (~$241m) By 1981, when bridge opened, bridge debt with loan charges was already £151m (~$241m) Government paid more than £300m (~$480m) to pay off Humber Bridge Government paid more than £300m (~$480m) to pay off Humber Bridge

Opposition Citizens oppose tolls Citizens oppose tolls £1.9 (~$3.00): 3 rd highest toll in Britain £1.9 (~$3.00): 3 rd highest toll in Britain Political issues: Why should drivers have to continue to pay for a bridge that taxpayers paid for? Political issues: Why should drivers have to continue to pay for a bridge that taxpayers paid for? Many citizens of the southeast area feel there is too much focus on Hull, not enough focus on surrounding areas Many citizens of the southeast area feel there is too much focus on Hull, not enough focus on surrounding areas Many sub-regional shopping centers lose trade to Hull Many sub-regional shopping centers lose trade to Hull Residents feel existing service facilities are run down and spread out while those in Hull are concentrated and in better condition Residents feel existing service facilities are run down and spread out while those in Hull are concentrated and in better condition

Problems with Project High price inflation during the construction period High price inflation during the construction period Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister Delays caused by ground conditions Delays caused by ground conditions Labor relations difficulties Labor relations difficulties Some workers claimed “down-time” of up to 90% during the winter months Some workers claimed “down-time” of up to 90% during the winter months Adverse weather conditions Adverse weather conditions Vehicle utilization was unchanged for 23% of firms because the bridge was marginal to their operations Vehicle utilization was unchanged for 23% of firms because the bridge was marginal to their operations Only nine firms responded to the bridge by reorganizing internally Only nine firms responded to the bridge by reorganizing internally

Benefits Bridge connected two very distinct parts of England Bridge connected two very distinct parts of England £250m (~$400m) in economic growth £250m (~$400m) in economic growth -County Council's Planning Department Barton upon Hull more developed than before Barton upon Hull more developed than before

Benefits, continued Study of Market Penetration in 1986 Increase of average cross-estuary commercial activity: Increase of average cross-estuary commercial activity: from 8.1% to 13.9% of journeys across Humber from 8.1% to 13.9% of journeys across Humber From 13.6% to 20.7% in business transactions across Humber From 13.6% to 20.7% in business transactions across Humber

Benefits, continued Vehicle utilization was unchanged for 23% of firms because the bridge was marginal to their operations Vehicle utilization was unchanged for 23% of firms because the bridge was marginal to their operations Only 9 of the 52 firms interviewed responded to the bridge by reorganizing internally Only 9 of the 52 firms interviewed responded to the bridge by reorganizing internally → Benefits studied in 1986 were mixed → Benefits studied in 1986 were mixed

Ongoing Problems Bridge hasn’t yet paid for itself. Bridge hasn’t yet paid for itself. Humberside is now a rural area and economic growth is still needed Humberside is now a rural area and economic growth is still needed Much of the initial traffic on the bridge was provided by tourists and others out of curiosity Much of the initial traffic on the bridge was provided by tourists and others out of curiosity

Ongoing Problems, continued No more than 6% of average weekday traffic was commercial traffic No more than 6% of average weekday traffic was commercial traffic “If the bridge is to become commercially viable, commercial traffic will have to comprise 50% of average weekday traffic” - Malcolm Stockwell, Bridgemaster Traffic from southeast is particularly sensitive Traffic from southeast is particularly sensitive

References A Review of Yorkshire and Humberside A Review of Yorkshire and Humberside Do Road Projects Benefit Industry?: A Case Study of the Humber Bridge Do Road Projects Benefit Industry?: A Case Study of the Humber Bridge Humberside: A Feasibility Study Humberside: A Feasibility Study htm htm htm htm y_shields/skat.htm y_shields/skat.htm y_shields/skat.htm y_shields/skat.htm