New £6.6m Albert Dock Flood Defences Completed
300 homes and businesses were flooded in the area during the 2013 tidal surge.
A £6.6m flood defence scheme to help protect hundreds of homes and businesses in Hull is now officially complete.
A new 1 metre high flood wall along Albert Dock has been installed, along with further defences also built within the city's port.
300 properties were flooded in the area during the 2013 tidal surge - which took place exactly 2 years ago this week. The work began in November 2014 and 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.” Lord Haskins, Chair of Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “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.” Associated British Ports Director Humber, Simon Bird said: “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.”