Work to country’s largest flood defences gets under way in Hull

Construction of one of the biggest flood defence schemes in the country has been officially launched by the Environment Minister in Hull today.

Dr Therese Coffey visited the city to mark the start of work on the Environment Agency’s Humber: Hull Frontage Flood Defence Improvements.

The £42 million investment in the city will see the height of defences raised along more than four miles of the Humber foreshore, from St Andrew’s Quay and Victoria Dock Village.

Led by Dr Coffey, the scheme will better protect 113,000 properties from tidal flooding, providing a one in 200-year standard of protection.

Dr Coffey said: “I am pleased to be in Hull to launch the government-funded £42 million Humber: Hull Frontage Flood Defence Improvement scheme.

“Flooding and coastal erosion can have awful consequences for people, businesses and the environment, which is why Defra has invested £153 million in improving flood defences in Hull and East Yorkshire since 2010. I look forward to seeing work continue to ensure coastal communities are better protected, not abandoned.”

Dr Coffey met representatives from partner organisations, including Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Water and Highways England, at an event at Hull City Hall to mark the launch.

She was given a brief tour of the city before being shown the Hull tidal barrier and areas of work, including Victoria Dock Village, where the Minister cut the first piece of turf to get the scheme under way.

Councillor Daren Hale and Mark Jones meet Environment Minister Therese Coffey.

Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome the minister to Hull so that we could show her the physical change in flood infrastructure that the city has developed over the past few years while highlighting how crucial it is to invest in flood defences for Hull and the surrounding area.

“Our dedicated flood risk team has been absolutely instrumental in understanding the risks posed to Hull and has worked closely with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the East Riding of Yorkshire in a combined effort to try to address the real threat of flooding, as proactively as possible.

“This investment will ensure Hull can continue to play its role as a strategic economic driver for the Humber region.”

The design of the flood defences will include some areas of glass panels to maintain a view of the waterfront and recessed sections to display artistic works. This will create opportunities for public art and community involvement at areas including Victoria Dock Village and St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park.

In her speech to stakeholders at Hull City Hall in the morning, Dr Coffey announced that Highways England had just confirmed it was contributing £2 million towards the scheme.

Neil Longden, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We are thrilled that we are now on the ground and construction work has started on the Humber: Hull Frontage Flood Defence Improvement scheme.

“It was a pleasure to show the Minister this important flood defence project and explain other flood alleviation work being done in the city and in East Yorkshire.”

The design of the flood defences will include some areas of glass panels to maintain a view of the waterfront and recessed sections to display artistic works. This will create opportunities for public art and community involvement at areas including Victoria Dock Village and St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park.

In her speech to stakeholders at Hull City Hall in the morning, the Minister announced that Highways England had just confirmed it was contributing £2 million towards the scheme. 

A £16 million investment in tidal flood defences is being delivered at Hessle and Paull.

This £42 million investment links to a further £16 million investment in tidal flood defences either side of Hull at Paull and Hessle, which is being delivered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Both the Humber Hull Frontage and work by East Riding of Yorkshire Council at Hessle and Paull are part of a number of tidal flood alleviation projects that form part of the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

The Environment Agency and local partners are now in the process of developing an advanced approach to managing flooding in tidal areas by the River Humber for the next 100 years.

This long-term investment will contribute to securing the viability of Hull and the wider Humber region, ensuring it retains its place as a major contributor to the UK economy.

In addition to the work on the Humber frontage, more than £100 million is being invested in river and surface water flooding in Hull and the surrounding area.

More information about the scheme is available at the Environment Agency website.