An official visit to mark completion of the new flood defences at Albert Dock in Hull, built at a cost of £6.6 million, is taking place today.
Representatives from the Environment Agency, Hull City Council, the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, Associated British Ports and the local community will inspect the works which include 1.6 kilometres of new flood walls.
The scheme was approved by the Government following the tidal surge of December 2013 when 300 homes and businesses were flooded in the area.
Temporary defences were initially provided, with plans quickly drawn up for improved permanent defences to reduce the risk of future flooding from the Humber at Albert Dock.
The work began in November 2014 and has cost £6.6 million, 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 construction of 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 project also involved the sealing off of the disused Dunstan Culvert to protect the foundations of the existing flood defences and to prevent the river getting behind the defences.
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, said:
“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.”
The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership facilitated Hull City Council’s bid to the Local Growth Fund which enabled the Environment Agency to complete the scheme. Protecting the region from flooding is one of the key priorities for the Humber LEP. The new flood defence is the first of the LEP’s Growth Deal schemes to be completed in full.
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