Lasting solution to flood threat needed on the Humber

From: JR Goodman, Grove Close, Beverley, East Yorkshire.

THE Environment Agency is carrying out a review of the River Basin Management Plan for the Humber River Basin District. I would like to offer my comments.

Up to half a million people live and work below the contour around the Humber Estuary, their protection from an ever-increasing tidal surge is 280km of mostly earth banking. This banking has already had to be raised to cope with rising water levels at an approximate cost of £500m. It gives no guarantee of flood protection, property and lives remain at risk. The EA has invested in a flood early warning system, proof that protection is not certain.

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Now the EA has asked for £880m to further raise the banking. From past experience of EA estimates the final figure could be far higher. Raising the banks increases the level of the Humber and could result in a catastrophe if a bank failure occurs. Rising sea levels require that serious consideration will have to be given to changing the way flood protection is provided round the Estuary, so why not do it now?

The only guarantee of tidal surge protection is a barrier near the mouth of the Humber. It surely makes sense to build a barrier of approximately seven kilometres than try to protect 280km of tidal shoreline. Almost all of the silt in the Humber comes from the sea, the absence of this silt means that navigation channels can be cut throughout the length of the Humber.

The absence of tidal restricted drainage outfalls will give improved surface water drainage. The capacity, for example, of the River Hull as well as the Barmston and Fleet drains will be doubled.

If the water level of the Humber is allowed to slightly rise in the summertime from the winter level, it becomes a vast reservoir capable of using the existing drainage channels to irrigate large agricultural areas, a vital resource in view of the forecast increase risk of droughts.

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The policy of allowing the Holderness coast to be eroded at a tremendous rate should also be challenged. If a below water surface reef is created off the coast in a line from Bridlington to Spurn Point, the calmed water between the reef and the coast will allow silts to settle resulting in the development of marsh land, this marshland will protect the coast and provide a habitat area for wildlife greatly exceeding any loss in the Humber Estuary. It is regretful that the public believe that the tidal surge is a one in 50 year event and therefore is of little concern, whereas it can occur at any time.