£42m flood defences to bring ‘greater economic prosperity and job security’
New flood defences along the Humber are now officially complete.
The £42m Humber: Hull Frontages flood scheme is an Environment Agency project. The tidal flood defences along the Humber estuary have been upgraded, providing greater protection to 113,000 homes and businesses, as well as local infrastructure and other public amenities.
Construction work by contractors BMMJV, BAM Nuttall and Mott Macdonald started in the St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park in January 2019, and major works were finished in December 2021.
The defences cover about 7km of shoreline, from St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park to the west of the city, through St Andrew’s Dock, William Wright Dock, Albert Dock, Humber Quays, Victoria Pier and Victoria Dock Village to the east.
The Environment Agency says the new defences reduce flood risk to a 0.5% chance in any given year.
Floods minister Rebecca Pow said: “This scheme – supported by £39m of Defra funding – is a crucial step forward in helping to prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding in 2013 and ensuring Hull is resilient to the effects of climate change.
“We have invested more in Yorkshire and the Humber than any other region – with over £146m allocated for investment in new flood and coastal defences this year, and over half a billion pounds invested since 2015.”
Glazed panels in the flood walls maintain estuary views from the footpaths running parallel to the estuary, which form part of the Trans Pennine Trail, as well as from homes in Victoria Dock Village.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, said the flood defences are “critical” to the regeneration of Hull.
He added: “Since 2007, the city has seen more than £200m invested in its flood infrastructure, born out of the success of the Living with Water partnership and Hull being a Global Water Resilient City.
“The investment along the Humber frontage is arguably the most important, given the effects of climate change and Hull being the second most flood-prone city in the UK.
“The spending on flood defences has been central in enabling both Siemens Gamesa and Reckitt to invest in the city, and also to the regeneration of the Fruit Market and the city centre.”
The Humber: Hull Frontages project connects with the flood defence improvements built along the Humber by East Riding of Yorkshire Council; east of Hull at Paull and to the west of the city at Hessle.
Funding for the scheme came from Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid, with a £3m contribution from Highways England.
Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, said: “The Humber: Hull Frontage scheme provides better protection for thousands of homes, businesses, and agricultural land.
“This should generate additional investor confidence and provide greater economic prosperity and job security in the area.”
