Graham Stuart attended the opening of the Outstrays, the new £45 million investment in flood defences and nature reserves on the outskirts of Skeffling.
The Outstrays combines flood defences with the natural environment, creating saltmarsh, wet grassland and mudflat in its 600 acre, all accessible to walkers, riders and bird watchers with two car parks, four bird hides a footpath forming part of the 2,700 mile King Charles III Coastal Footpath.
With Holderness being at perpetual risk of flooding from rain, tide and sea the 5.5km embankment will help protect the towns, villages and farms of Holderness.
At its core, the Outstrays is a scheme to move an environment for birds from the south bank of the Humber to the north following investment in the area by Associated British Ports.
The scheme is part of a wider £35 million investment in improved flood defences across the Humber region.
Graham was joined on the visit by Councillor Lyn Healing, ward councillor for South East Holderness, who he has worked with for many years to protect local villages from flooding. Both were impressed by the extensive collaboration and dedication that had gone into bringing this project to life.
Graham has a strong record of working with local and national agencies to reduce flood risk across Beverley and Holderness.
In 2016, he founded the River Hull Advisory Board, helped deliver the £150 million River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy, and worked with stakeholders across the East Riding to shape the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.
He welcomed this latest milestone, calling it a vital step in a wider series of flood defence projects that, together, will help protect over 100,000 people across the Humber Estuary.
Councillor Lyn Healing, ward councillor for South East Holderness, commented, “I’m delighted to see the new flood defence open, it’s a vital project that will provide much needed protection for our area.
“By working closely with Graham and partners like the Environment Agency, we’re committed to tackling these challenges and delivering solutions that protect your schools, businesses and farmland as much as possible.
“I’m proud to see this important step forward in safeguarding the future of South Holderness and will continue to work with Graham to defend our communities from flooding and coastal erosion.”
Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, said, “The Outstrays is an incredible resource for Holderness and it was fantastic to be present for the opening.
“Not only does it give ever more people the opportunity to see our incredible natural beauty and birdlife but helps protect our area from flooding.
“And it’s been done, after a tricky start, with fantastic co-operation with the community.
“If only all flood defence and nature reclamation projects were like the Outstrays!”