£6.6m flood defence scheme protects Hull businesses

A £6.6m scheme to install new flood defences at Albert Dock in Hull has now been completed.

The installation works, which includes 1.6 kilometres of new flood walls, now protects around 300 homes and businesses from flooding.

The scheme was approved by the Government following the tidal surge of December 2013 when hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded in the area.

Temporary defences were initially provided, and plans were quickly drawn up for improved permanent defences to reduce the risk of future flooding from the Humber at Albert Dock.

The construction work began in November 2014 and has cost £6.6m, with funding contributions from the Environment Agency, Associated British Ports and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership with support from Hull City Council.

The main part of the project involved constructing a new one metre high flood wall between Albert Dock and the Trans Pennine Trail. The new wall runs for 950 metres, and a further 600 metres of defences have also been built within the port.

The Trans Pennine Trail, which was closed and diverted for the duration of the works, has now been reopened.

Peter Toms, Environment Agency project manager said: “The completed defences mean that the risk of flooding for 300 homes and businesses close to Albert Dock is now greatly reduced. We very much appreciate the support we have received from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, Hull City Council and Associated British Ports in bringing this project to fruition.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities, added: “We are pleased to be working with the Environment Agency and other partners to deliver new flood defences are across the Humber in a structured and focused way which supports the protection of people, property and businesses.

“Partnership working has ensured that this scheme has been delivered within tight timescales and with minimum disruption to the community. This new flood defence at Albert Dock will reduce the flood risk of future tidal flooding and reassure nearby residents and businesses that their properties are safer.”

Lord Haskins, Chair of Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, also commented: “Protecting the region from flooding is one of the key priorities for the Humber LEP. We were pleased to facilitate Hull City Council’s bid to the Local Growth Fund which has enabled the Environment Agency to complete this important scheme.

These works will help to safeguard existing jobs in Hull and enable new developments in the future. This is the first of our Growth Deal schemes to be completed in full and we are making good progress across the rest of the programme.

Simon Bird, Associated British Ports Director Humber, concluded: “Investment in key infrastructure like this is absolutely vital if we are to grow and develop our business and ensure those companies and residents close to the waterfront remain protected.

“These new defences will provide security for hundreds of homes and businesses and ABP is delighted that its work with the Environment Agency, the Local Enterprise Partnership and Hull City Council has delivered a scheme that will safeguard the city for many years to come.”

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