Hull set to receive £12m to improve flood defences

Hull is to receive £12m from a national £36m government programme to improve flood protection.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey named 25 schemes as part of the funding package. Hull will receive the £12m to improve the defences along the River Hull to protect homes, businesses, infrastructure and areas of cultural importance within the city.

The funding will support the second phase of the project which started in 2016 and has so far seen 39 sections of defence improved over a 7.5km stretch of river.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “This funding will benefit projects across the country from Hull to Gloucester, from Wolverhampton to the Wirral, that need an extra boost for flood defences to help our communities continue to prosper and grow in the future.

“Not only will this investment make places more resilient against flooding, but it will help the local economy, enhance the natural environment and protect important areas of culture – whether it is the homes, businesses and cultural sites in Hull to the pier in Seahouses or the natural environment in Gloucester.

“The government has worked with the Environment Agency to prioritise the areas that would get the most benefit – the schemes will not only protect an additional 3,000 properties from flooding but will contribute to wider benefits for the community.”

Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, added: In the face of challenges like a changing climate, rising sea levels and more severe weather, the Environment Agency is working hard to protect people, homes and businesses from flooding.

“As with every project we undertake, we’re also striving to improve our environment and this additional funding will not only help us build flood defences, but restore vital habitat and bring nature back to some of our urban communities.”

In the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced £76m to be spent on flood and coastal defences – £36m for new schemes and £40m to boost local regeneration in deprived communities at high flood risk.

It brings the total investment in flood defence to £2.6bn by 2021, when more than 1,500 flood defences will have been built to protect 300,000 homes up and down the country.