Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, chaired a further virtual meeting with Sir Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire, to follow up on their discussions from last year about the economic impact to agriculture caused by flooded farmland and what solutions can be found. They were joined by farmers from both constituencies.
Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Environment Agency (EA), East Riding Council and the National Farmers Union, Yorkshire Water, the Clerk of the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board and the Chair of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee.
The EA reported on a ‘hump’ they have discovered on the bed of the lower River Hull. The geophysics investigations they commissioned have concluded that it may have been there since the Ice Age and dredging or de-silting would not make a difference. The EA outlined their proposals for a project that would instead selectively take out the reeds in the lower end of the River Hull.
The group looked at the case of the River Parrett in Somerset, which flooded extensively in January 2014 and was subsequently dredged. No further flooding has been experienced there since and river flow has been restored. Some comparisons were therefore drawn to the River Hull and there are some potential lessons that could be learnt; however, the EA maintain that the River Hull is very different to that of the River Parrett. Further discussion on this will continue when the group meets again later in the year.
Graham Stuart MP said, “We had another productive meeting, but there is no easy solution to put a stop to the flooding from the River Hull that farmers continue to experience. The Environment Agency’s investigations into the River Hull and the potential options to reduce the likelihood of flooding are ongoing.
“It is disappointing that there does not appear to be any suitable funding in the Government’s Levelling Up agenda for our purposes, but we will continue to investigate and pursue other avenues.
“We will continue to have these discussions until we have a strong and clear case to bring to the Minister. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Sir Greg Knight MP agreed with Graham and said, “We need to look at a number of feasible options based on firm evidence and this means awaiting the conclusion of the Environment Agency’s surveys. When we have all the facts Graham and I will be pursuing ministers for further action on this matter.”
Jon Freed, East Yorkshire Partnership Team Leader and Internal Drainage Board lead at the Environment Agency, said, “We would like to thank Graham Stuart MP's office for organising another successful meeting. We welcomed the opportunity to give an update on the progress we have been making on the study around the Upper and Middle Hull. The results of this study will help to inform future decisions around investment and maintenance and will be available in the spring.
“We also found it very useful to hear, first hand, the concerns from the local community representatives and to be able to engage with them directly in the spirit of openness and collaboration.”
John Duggleby, who farms at Beswick, said, “I have been concerned for a long time about the maintenance of the River Hull and the Beverley and Barmston Drain. I am delighted to have the support of Graham Stuart and Sir Greg Knight as we seek improvement and action.”
