£5.2m flood defence scheme completes
A £5.2m tidal defence scheme aimed at reducing the risk of flooding to properties in Paull, on the north bank of the Humber Estuary, is now complete.
A total of 2,700 tonnes of rock armour has been placed, new flood gates have been installed and the existing embankment has been raised in the second stage of the Hull and Holderness Flood Alleviation Scheme (HaHFAS).
The first stage saw the creation of a 520m glass tidal wall along Paull’s embankment, which was completed in 2016. The innovative structure is the UK’s longest glass tidal defence structure.
Now complete, the four-year project has raised Paull’s tidal defences to a height of 6.8m above sea level, which will reduce the risk of flooding to around 1,500 properties in the area.
The work at Paull formed Phase 1, delivered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and Hull City Council.
The scheme has been supported with £3m from the Local Growth Fund secured by the Humber LEP through its Growth Deals with Government, in addition to £1.74m of Flood Defence Grant in Aid from the Environment Agency, and a contribution from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The village of Paull suffered widespread flooding in 2013 caused by a tidal surge which, combined with high spring tides, resulted in record water levels.
The newly completed defences cover the full 900m length of Paull’s frontage and will help provide protection against a one-in-200-year storm event.
The defences were designed using a physical 3D scale model, which was tested in various storm surge scenarios.
Work to install the toughened glass-panelling on top of the existing tidal defence wall began in March 2016 and was completed in July 2016 by contractors C R Reynolds of Hessle.
Work on the second stage, to build up the defences at either side of the glass wall, began in March 2017 and was carried out by contractors PBS Construction of Hull.
New flood gates, which were lowered in place by crane, were also installed at the village’s boat compound to the same height as the other defences.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “These tidal defences, and the other flood alleviation schemes we are currently working on, are vital in helping to reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of residents and businesses in our area.”
Paul Stockhill, East Yorkshire Partnership Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “The Environment Agency are hoping to start construction of the £42.5m Humber Hull Frontages Flood Alleviation Scheme later this year, which will see approximately four miles of flood defences replaced or upgraded between Hessle and Paull.
“The Paull scheme has used some really innovative techniques, such as the use of 3D scale models. Installing the longest glass tidal wall in the UK, together with our £200m investment programme, show we are at the forefront of flood defence work and just how seriously we collectively take our work to better protect homes from flooding.”
Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “This is exactly the kind of innovative project we need to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses along the Humber, and support future sustainable growth.”
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and its partners will now move on to work on Phase 2 of HaHFAS which is scheduled over the next five years.
Phase 2 will be the inland stage of the scheme and, when complete, it will reduce the risk of flooding to 1,400 properties in areas of Hedon, Thorngumbald, Preston, Bilton and East Hull.
