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Flood defence work gathers pace on south Humber bank

Planning and Environment
09:57, Tuesday, 16th July 2019

A new £12m flood defence is being built on the south Humber bank in North Lincolnshire.

Work began in March 2019 to install new flood defences around the village of South Ferriby. Over 30,000 tonnes of clay have already been installed as part of the eastern embankment of the defence.

South Ferriby based CEMEX have stockpiled clay for the defences and will provide around 240,000 tonnes for the full project.

North Lincolnshire Council contributed £600,000 towards the Environment Agency’s scheme which comprises of a new impermeable flood embankment built to the west of the CEMEX Plant on Sluice Road, as well as improvements to the north of the A1077 where the embankment will be raised.

New brick-clad walls will also be built around Ferriby Sluice, and a new defence will be installed that can be brought across the A1077 when flood warnings are issued.

In December 2013, floods devastated South Ferriby village, affecting 129 homes and 1,000 hectares of land, and causing an estimated £50m worth of economic damage. These new defences will protect 144 homes, businesses in the village including the CEMEX plant and the Hope and Anchor pub, and nearby agricultural land.

Cllr Rob Waltham, the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said protecting towns and villages from flooding was a key priority for the council. He said:

“It is heart-breaking to see the devastation that flooding can bring, with people losing their homes and livelihoods. Even long after the waters dry up, communities often live in fear that such an event could happen again.

“Working with the Environment Agency, we’ve found a long term solution to give residents and businesses significant protection against flooding, and peace of mind once again.

“The flood defences at South Ferriby form part of a wider strategy for managing flood risk along the Humber, protecting communities on both banks and across North Lincolnshire. Co-ordinating defences in this way allows for future plans to look at enhancing our defences elsewhere along our bank, and ensuring all our communities remain protected from the devastation that flooding can bring.”

Work on the flood defences is expected to be fully completed in spring 2021.