Scott Street Bridge dates from 1901. It was Listed in 1994 at which time it was complete and operable. However, very shortly afterwards an assessment of the load carrying capacity identified that the bridge was unable to carry any vehicular loading. It was fixed in the open position to allow river traffic movement.

In July 1998 a meeting was held with English Heritage to find out what the Hull City Council's options for the bridge might be. English Heritage said that the following information was needed:

 

A historical audit to determine the relative importance of the structure, mechanism, features and materials in national, regional and local context and find any historic records.

 

Detailed costing of options for retention, reduction or removal.

 

Identification of current maintenance costs.

 

Industrial archaeologists were commissioned to carry out a historical audit of the bridge in February 1999. The bridge is a double leaf bascule bridge worked by hydraulic power. The report found that there are better examples of bascule bridges; this one is not typical because it was altered during the design stage. As a result the counter-balance is under water at high tide causing operational problems and corrosion. This problem has got worse with rising sea levels.

The report said the main feature of interest is its use of hydraulic power. The original hydraulic system which operated from Machell Street was damaged during the war and eventually abandoned in 1957. Other bridges were converted to operate from electric motors, but Scott Street Bridge was given its own electrically operated hydraulic pumps. These were renewed in 1990. However, the hydraulic rams also have to operate partly under water causing operational difficulties and corrosion.

The report concluded: 'The benefits to be gained from restoring the bridge are out-weighed by the alterations which have been, and would have to be made, for the bridge to continue in use.'

It recommended a photographic record be made and an audio record of the people who worked on it, a working model, and the preservation of the operating rams, so that the hydraulic mechanism could be explained as part of a museum display.

 

Report No. DRP/2006/23
Report of the Head of Regional Development
And Acting Head of Street Scene - Hull City Council