Thousands of homes in Hull are now better protected from flooding thanks to a new multi-million-pound flood protection scheme.
The Environment Agency’s £42 million Humber frontages scheme will help towards protecting residents in 113,000 homes in the city.
The new, higher defences built by the Environment Agency along the estuary foreshore are now in place, ready to protect the city from tidal surges. The major flood alleviation scheme will also improve protection against climate change and sea level rise.
Helen Tattersdale, Environment Agency project manager on the scheme, said: “We’re thrilled that we have reached this milestone. It’s a fantastic achievement and I’m very proud of what has been accomplished.
“Climate change is one of the biggest global threats we face, and intense storms are becoming more frequent.
“Sea level rise on the Humber in the next 100 years is likely to be in excess of one metre. The work we have now completed will better protect properties in Hull from the increasing threat of flooding.”
The flood defences stretch along more than four miles of shoreline from St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park in the west to Victoria Dock Village in the east. As well as protecting homes, the work also protects major businesses in the city, such as Smith & Nephew, and makes the city more attractive to investment.
Councillor Mike Thompson, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, said: “Hull is a city built on and around water. The Humber: Hull Frontages scheme is an excellent example of the infrastructure the city relies on.
“The scheme achieves a high level of flood alleviation whilst also ensuring the important cultural, heritage and amenity link to the estuary is retained.
“I’m pleased our administration is continuing to work in partnership with the Environment Agency to protect our properties, businesses and thousands of jobs.”
Working with Hull City Council, the Environment Agency used materials and a colour palette to blend the new defences into the existing landscape. This was particularly important within the residential areas and those of cultural significance to the city of Hull.
Work along the stretch covering St Andrew’s Quay has included a section in the shape of a boat hull which will incorporate the STAND memorial to lost trawlermen, expected to be placed in position later this year.
In other areas of the scheme, the inclusion of glazed panels into the flood walls at several locations maintains estuary views from the footpaths running parallel to the estuary which form part of the popular Trans Pennine Trail, as well as from homes at Victoria Dock Village.
The scheme was made possible through a £3 million contribution from Highways England.
Richard Marshall, Highways England regional director for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “We are delighted to support the Environment Agency with a £3 million contribution to this scheme. It’s fantastic to see the project is now complete, offering protection for homes and businesses as well as the A63 and A1033, reducing the risk of closures and flooding-related disruption on our roads.”
To read the full story, please visit the Environment Agency website.
