Four hurt as crash causes A63 gridlock

FOUR people were taken to hospital after a car and lorry crashed under the Humber Bridge on the A63, causing gridlock.

Emergency crews, including four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle, were sent to the scene at 12.15pm yesterday.

According to Humberside Police, the crash involved a silver Peugeot 206 and a blue Renault articulated lorry.

It is believed the injured – two adults and two children – were travelling in the car.

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Two adults and two children, complaining of neck and back pain, were taken to Hull Royal Infirmary in separate ambulances."

The conditions of the injured were not known last night, although no one is believed to have been seriously hurt in the accident, the cause of which is being investigated.

Police and Highways Agency officials closed the westbound carriageway, near the Hessle slip road, which resulted in long queues of traffic.

The vehicles involved in the crash were removed and the carriageway reopened by about 1.15pm.

Motorists have long been plagued by heavy delays caused by accidents on the main route into Hull.

Even minor shunts have led to tailbacks and significant delays, adding urgency to calls for improvements to the A63 and nearby Castle Street.

Earlier this month, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin met with Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson and city council transport portfolio holder Councillor Martin Mancey.

Mr McLoughlin saw congestion on the A63 for himself.

Mark Beaney, owner of M&H Transport (Hull) Ltd in Hedon Road, east Hull, said disruption caused by yesterday's accident illustrated the need for an upgrade.

He said: "It seems to take a long time to clear up after an accident. Access for the emergency services seems to be a concern on the A63.

"It's a very busy route.

"We work off the dock and deliveries have to be made at key times throughout the day.

"Because the A63 is so congested, which is obviously made worse when there is a shunt, we have to factor contingency plans into journeys.

"As a result, we are not maximising vehicle usage. When there's an accident, our vehicles are stationary, often burning fuel.

"Congestion on the main route into a city will put off potential investors.

"Anyone coming here for a meeting would see it and it needs tackling."

Mr McLoughlin was in Hull to visit the newly completed £10m improvement scheme on the A164, which connects the Humber Bridge and Beverley.

But the politician said the A63 upgrade remained on ministers' radar, adding: "The A63 is a huge scheme, costing between £120m and £190m.

"I am very keen to see it go ahead. It is one of the most important schemes in the country."

Mr Johnson said he was pleased Mr McLoughlin had seen the problem in Castle Street/A63 for himself.

It is hoped long-awaited upgrade work could start as early as 2015, although funding for the project rests on the outcome of the Government's spending review next month.

Improvements to Castle Street, which will improve the flow of traffic on the A63, is seen as a vital step in transforming Hull into the nation's hub for the renewables industry.