Major £38m Humber flood defence scheme to protect homes from tidal surges
Communities from Barton to New Holland could see stronger tidal defences after partnership funding secured with the Environment Agency
A major £38 million tidal flood defence scheme along the Humber is set to move forward, with hundreds of homes across North Lincolnshire expected to benefit.
The project covers communities along the Humber bank from Barton-upon-Humber through Barrow Haven to New Holland, with plans to strengthen existing embankments and improve drainage to reduce the risk of tidal flooding.
The funding has been unlocked through a partnership approach with the Environment Agency.
“We’ve worked for a number of years now… particularly with the Environment Agency, to try and build up a pot of money - an investment in tidal flood defences right along that Humber bank," said Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council.
He said the £38 million scheme could make a major difference to communities along the estuary.
“Certainly into the hundreds of homes now will have a much more sustainable future — which is not just about housing, it’s always about people.”
Flooding has long been a concern - particularly in Barrow Haven, which has previously been affected by serious flood events.
“Barrow Haven… it’s had some terrible history around flooding and it’s very prone. So this is going to be a really important step for them.”
The scheme will involve physical improvements to the Humber frontage, including raising sections of flood bank and strengthening defences - work that can take several years to complete.
“It is literally raising the bank… it’s a lot of earth moving, it’s a lot of piling… so it’s a very physical infrastructure that will be part of this process," said Cllr Waltham.