Back in November I contemplated plans to incorporate a train station stop near the KC. At the time, I fell into the “not sure it would work” camp, which as it turns out, was the right side of the fence to fall.

Latest reports suggest that “hopes of developing a new rail halt next to the KC Stadium in Hull look certain to be dashed”, so it’s a good job I never got worked up about it anyway. The obvious reasons have been quoted – “little prospect of attracting funding”, “not a priority”, “over 5m costs to develop”, “running costs”, oh, and “technical problems.”

But let’s not forget the potential bigger problem? Good rugby crowds may be one thing, but is it justified for Championship football??? Ouch

Latest reports suggest that work might not start for another five years, so that’s more endless queues and frustration to look forward to.

Earlier options that were on the cards are being thrown out because of escalating costs so the latest thinking is a new flyover above the Mytongate junction, or lowering the road beneath it. Either way, the Council say we’re looking at 2013 at the earliest to start the work.

Watch out for the public consultation in the New Year about the plans. I’m tempted to say we need to get it sorted asap, but we may as well get it right whilst we’re at it. Already five years behind, there is little point wasting the next 25 complaining bitterly that it didn’t even help ease the problem.

Anyway, here’s hoping that 2009 isn’t dominated by sitting in traffic – Happy New Year to you all!

Football Fans’ Decibels

I wasn’t even at the game against Man City on Saturday, but I could certainly hear the “Come on you Hull” chants, and as I drove past at the end of the game the general banter continued as the fans poured out of the stadium.

Admittedly, it wasn’t my greatest moment in terms of timing as I tried to navigate my car through everyone, crawling along because people were randomly crossing the road without even glancing my way. But it got me thinking about the plans to incorporate a train station stop near the KC and whether it would ease the post-game congestion deadlock.

A couple of blogs have also offered their opinion, but I’m in two minds. Would it work? Would people actually use it? It’s bad enough getting on and off busy trains at the best of times. At least bus stops have a “queue from here” philosophy whereas trains just tend to encourage people to pile in with little regard for the old lady/small child they happen to squash.

I think, as I’m writing this, I’m probably in the “no thanks, not a good idea” camp.

A report by the ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) states that Yorkshire and Humberside receive the lowest transport funding than any other region in the UK.

In fact, we have £200 spent per head on us, compared to £600 on average down South.

This surely means that any plans to improve the network are never even going to see the light of day because of the unfair funding allocation?

This even follows numerous findings that Yorkshire and Humber host plenty of Britain’s most dangerous roads, including our very own A1079 from Market Weighton to Hull. I’m not convinced speed cameras are the way forward either, but that’s a blog for another day…

So, what is the general opinion on Hull City Council’s ideas, and the numerous suggestions which have been flying around, for solving the problem?

One of the ideas I’ve heard of is a car-free City Centre, where cars and commercial traffic will be banned from going into an “environmental zone”. Other than deliveries to shops and offices during restricted hours, only buses and cyclists will be able to whiz though the centre, dodging pedestrians as they happily breeze through.

Widening the main roads into the City and creating more bus lanes is another idea that has been thrown into the hat of tricks, along with upgrading the existing gridlocked ring road route. You may be sensing my scepticism.

I am, however, delighted to see that Council officials have ruled out a London-style congestion charge, which surely would have been a death sentence for our vibrant City. I’m also pleased to see that Council’s are taking positive steps towards developing park-and-ride schemes.

Even so, there can be no doubt that every single driver is dreading the looming £200m upgrade of Castle Street, which will see Hull’s busiest road restricted to a single lane in each direction for up to four years. Don’t worry though, if you get caught stuck in traffic and are unable to make it across the city, you can always use Cityvisitor to find the nearest B&B or pub in Hull to pass away the time.