£42M Hull tidal flood scheme goes ahead

The Humber Hull Frontage Improvement Scheme has been given the go ahead by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Approval of the scheme marked the fifth anniversary of the tidal surge that caused devastation to the city.

Construction of a multi-million pound scheme, led by the Environment Agency, will protect thousands of homes and businesses in Hull from flooding through the upgrading of eight tidal flood defences along the estuary foreshore, including at St Andrew’s Quay and Victoria Dock Village.

The defences will provide a one in 200 year standard of protection and will reduce tidal risk for 113,000 homes and businesses across seven kilometres of the Humber estuary.

The design of the flood defences has been carefully considered and will include some areas of glass panels to maintain a view of the waterfront as well as recessed sections to display artistic works. Opportunities for public art and community involvement will also be integrated into the scheme, at areas including Victoria Dock Village and St Andrew’s Quay Retail park.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “I am delighted that the owners of 113,000 homes and businesses in and around Hull will benefit from a fully government funded flood defence improvements which will help for many decades to come.

“This new flood defence scheme costing £42M from taxpayers’ money has been well supported by the City Council and a number of other key partners, showing what can be achieved when we work together towards a common goal.”

Helen Tattersdale, Project Manager at the Environment Agency said: “We are delighted that the Humber Hull Frontages scheme has been given final approval and look forward to making progress on the ground early in the New Year.

“This £42M investment is great news for the city as it will allow us to better protect thousands of homes and businesses. We will continue to keep residents and businesses affected by our work informed about the scheme at every stage of its development.”

The scheme will be delivered by contractor BMM JV – a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald – and is expected to be completed by March 2021.

A number of tidal flood alleviation projects are underway in the area, including works by East Riding of Yorkshire Council at Hessle and Paull, which 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.

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

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