Scale Lane Bridge, Hull

Scale Lane Pedestrian and Cycleway Swing Bridge, River Hull

Scale Lane Bridge

Scale Lane Bridge in Hull, is an award-winning swing bridge; its structure and MEICA control system was designed, manufactured, fabricated, installed and commissioned by Qualter Hall & Company Ltd.

The bridge incorporates a glass fronted lettable space, seating, pedestrian and cyclist / wheelchair access and surrounding civils and landscaping.

Scale Lane Bridge is a 57 metre span, 1000 tonne, pedestrian and cycleway swing bridge, connecting Scale Lane to Tower Street on opposite banks of the River Hull.

The black steel bridge has a distinctive robust character and curving form, making it a memorable landmark that is unique to Hull and its industrial and maritime heritage.

Located in Kingston upon Hull, east of Hull city centre, the bridge connects Hull’s Old Town Conservation Area to the undeveloped industrial landscape of the East Bank, helping to unlock the potential of the riverside and promote wider regeneration in the areas east of the city centre. The bridge provides a walkable route connecting the Museums Quarter on the West Bank to The Deep, Hull’s award-winning aquarium.

The primary structure consists of a steel spine, cantilevering approximately 37m from a three-dimensional Vierendeel girder ring that is approximately 15m in diameter, with a circular structure which houses the glazed bistro/restaurant space. The bridge’s sweeping form creates two generous pedestrian routes, one gently sloping and a shorter stepped walkway. The roof of the drum provides an upper viewing deck with a seamless steel balustrade, which gives the feeling of being on board a docked ocean liner.

What work was done by Qualter Hall at Scale Lane Bridge?

Scale Lane Bridge was designed, manufactured and fabricated by the team at Qualter Hall (structure and MEICA control system)
The bridge was fabricated by Qualter Hall, in sections in our facilities in Barnsley, UK.
After being transported to the River Hull site, our team welded it together on the riverbank, before it was lifted into place across the river.
Our team is also behind the mechanics, electrics and controls which enable the bridge to move.
Our Site Services team commissioned the structure for Hull City Council, and trained the client’s operatives on-site.

Seating areas are included on the central structural spine of the bridge, creating a variety of places for people to pause on route to relax and enjoy the riverscape views. The spine rises into a back-lit rooflight which provides a marker for the bridge at night.

Scale Lane Staith on the West Bank was re-landscaped with a series of stepped gardens leading to a new public square at the threshold of the bridge.

The public artwork on the bridge provides a sonic landscape in which to enjoy the riverscape. When the bridge opening is activated a new sequence of rhythmic bells is triggered which increases in urgency and combines with a pulsing light. This has a practical purpose in alerting pedestrians to the imminent opening rotation, and it heightens the drama of the ‘ride’.

At night, low level fluorescents integrated into the parapet posts light the profile of the bridge and bring colour and sparkle to the blackened industrial riverscape.