Local MPs Graham Stuart and Diana Johnson were today celebrating the adoption of the new River Hull Flood Risk Management Strategy.
Over the last two years professionals from East Riding and Hull City Councils, the Environment Agency, Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board and Yorkshire Water have worked with experts to develop a detailed understanding of drainage and flood risk.
The new strategy, which includes removing sunken vessels, raising river banks at certain points and upgrading pumping stations, amounts to a £45 million package designed to protect Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, who chaired the River Hull Advisory Board that decided the new strategy, said: “This strategy is the result of over two years' hard work by everyone involved.
“Maintaining the existing river defence systems is critical for Hull and the East Riding, as failing to make this continued investment may result in flood damage estimated at £3.4 billion.
“I am tremendously proud of how everyone has come together to produce a robust strategy that will help reduce the risk of flooding significantly. I want to pay tribute to the unseen contribution of so many officers across the agencies involved for working together so effectively. I would particularly like to thank the Community Liaison Group led by Martin Voase for their input in developing a strategy which will protect homes and businesses across north Hull and the East Riding.”
Diana Johnson, the MP for Hull North, said: “I’m delighted to see Hull City Council working hand in hand with East Riding Council to protect my Hull North constituents from the range of flooding risks we face, so that the flooding we saw in 2007 - and more recently in 2013 - becomes much less likely.
“All MPs, including both Graham and myself, will continue to work together to ensure that we get the action needed to make the Humber area safer.”
