Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, has welcomed the news that pumping stations at Hempholme and Wilfholme, located between Beverley and nearby Driffield, are set to receive £840,000 in Government funding to assist with their repair and replacement.
The funding boost has been confirmed by Communities Minister, Jake Berry MP, and will come from the Government’s Local Growth Fund. The fund was first created back in 2013 in order to assist with projects developed by ‘Local Enterprise Partnerships’ (LEPs) – business-led partnerships between local authorities and private sector businesses in the area.
The Government funding is being augmented by £360,000 from the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board (IDB).
The project to upgrade the pumps at Hempholme and Wilfholme is being run by a partnership between East Riding Council, the Environment Agency and the Beverley and North Holderness IDB. The pumps have been identified as priorities as they are likely to fail in the near future due to normal wear and tear over the years.
Commenting on the new funding, Graham said: “This is fantastic news for my constituency and it’s good to see the work of several local bodies, as well as Government, come to fruition
“It’s particularly pleasing after the Environment Agency planned to withdraw funding for maintenance of the pumps about 10 years ago; a move which I opposed at the time.
“I’ve been a huge proponent of maintaining and improving flood defences across Beverley and Holderness over the years after seeing the devastation caused by the 2007 floods. I chaired the River Hull Board, which agreed a £45 million plan in 2015 to improve flood defences – including the pumps at Wilfholme and Hempholme, as well as additional stations at Great Culvert, Hedon Road and Bransholme.
“Although the board disbanded in 2016, I have pushed for it to be reinstated and I’m delighted it has been, under the chairmanship of Sir Greg Knight MP.
“I’m also due to visit the pumps down at Winestead and Outstrays next month along with Environment Agency officials, as concerns have been raised with me about their age and suitability.”
Hempholme and Wilfholme pumping stations currently reduce flood risk by pumping water from the surrounding farmland into the River Hull. New pumps will be purchased and installed at the site in conjunction with the refurbishment of some existing equipment. The upgrades will also reduce costs in the long-term as the new pumps will operate more efficiently in dry weather.
The improved pumping stations will reduce the risk of flooding to 348ha of land either side of the River Hull, with work expected to be complete by autumn this year.
Bill Symons, the clerk to Beverley and North Holderness IDB, added: “The board is delighted that the refurbishment of these two pumping stations will be underway shortly.
“We are particularly grateful to the Humber LEP for investing in this project with the Board as part of the wider implementation plan of the River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy.”
