Park gates reopen after years... then close again

The main gates at the park were due to reopen in mid-July

The reopening of the main gates to traffic at Hull's biggest park was only a temporary measure, the city council has said.

The gates at East Park were closed to vehicles in 2020 in response to the Covid outbreak. It had been hoped they would reopen this month following a series of improvements, including a new footpath and accessible parking spaces.

Officials from Hull City Council said the gates were opened over the weekend to meet demand from visitors and a parkrun, but had since been closed again.

When asked when they would reopen permanently, a council spokesperson did not give a date, but added: "Further information on the planned improvements at East Park will be issued in due course."

In March last year, the council said vehicles would be given access to the park again following the long ban – despite more than 1,500 people signing a petition opposing the move amid concerns about safety and pollution.

Supporters argued the decision would help people with restricted mobility to access the park, while the council said it would "ensure compliance with the Equality Act".

In May, the council announced a series of works that would lead to the gates reopening by "mid-July".

The decision to open them temporarily at the weekend was taken because the park's overflow car park was "in a poor condition" following heavy rain and additional traffic, the spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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