Part of the Trans Pennine Trail is re-opening in Hull after an upgrade to flood defences on the Victoria Dock Village western frontage.

The improvements are part of the £42 million tidal flood defence scheme for Hull. The new defences will improve tidal flood protection for 113,000 homes and businesses.

Led by the Environment Agency, the Humber Hull Frontage scheme is upgrading seven kilometres of flood defences along the estuary frontage through the city of Hull.

The work is being carried out at eight locations including St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park, Victoria Pier and Victoria Dock Village. Work on the scheme is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2021.

Project manager Helen Tattersdale, from the Environment Agency, said:

“Even though we are working hard to improve the flood defences to protect this area of Hull, we can never completely prevent flooding. I do urge residents and businesses to check they are signed up to our free flood warning service and look into the practical steps they can take to protect themselves by having their own flood plan.”

Councillor Mike Thompson, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, communities and environment at Hull City Council, added:

“Hull has strong links to the water and estuary but we obviously need to be aware of the challenges this brings, particularly relating to climate change. This scheme is just one of the many steps we can all take to reduce flood risk and become a resilient city.”

In Victoria Dock Village – West, a new concrete flood defence wall has been constructed and flood gates have been installed at Camilla Close, Ocean Boulevard and Plimsoll Way.

A small section of footpath on the western edge of the Half Tide Basin will remain closed in the short term to allow the flood glass to be fitted into the flood defence wall when it is received from the manufacturer.

Contractor BMM-JV (a joint venture between BAM Nuttall & Mott MacDonald) was employed by the Environment Agency to started at Victoria Dock Village in May 2019.

The work is being carried out in two sections: Victoria Dock Village – West which extends from the Half Tide Basin towards The Deep and Victoria Dock Village – East which extends from the Half Tide Basin towards Corinthian Way.

All sections of the Humber Hull Frontages flood defence improvements scheme are expected to be completed in spring next year.