Council explains decision not to close Hessle’s tidal flood gates despite locals receiving a red alert

An East Riding Council spokesperson said it and the Environment Agency decided not to close the gates, by Cliff Road at Hessle Foreshore, because water levels were not high enough.

The spokesperson added the council was always prepared to do what is needed to protect people from flooding if they were thought to be at risk.

The comments come after the Environment Agency issued red flood warnings to those living near the Foreshore yesterday afternoon.

The warning followed the arrival of Storm Eunice in the area at the weekend and came ahead of Storm Franklin.

Red warnings are issued if flooding is expected and Environment Agency advice calls on people in areas subject to them to act to protect themselves and their homes.

The Agency’s advice includes moving vehicles to higher ground, taking family and pets to safe places, putting valuables upstairs, turning off gas, electricity and water and putting out sandbags.

The Environment Agency alert stated: “This flood warning for the Humber estuary at West Hessle foreshore has been issued as strong winds are expected to cause waves and spray overtopping from 8 PM to 10:30 PM on Sunday.

“Please stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as the expected large waves and spray will be dangerous.”

Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy said on social media yesterday she spoke with council Chief Executive Caroline Lacey to ask why gates were not closed after the alert.

The Labour MP said: “Update from Chief Executive of East Riding Council: the levels of the high tide in the River Humber are not enough to trigger any changes to the flood barrier or require the gate to be closed.

“Their experts have studied the details carefully.

“I have asked if the East Riding Council Twitter account can share the same information so everyone knows what’s going on.

“Hope everyone’s okay.”

The council’s spokesperson said today that water levels were not deemed to have risen to a high enough level to trigger the closure of the gates.

The spokesperson said: “The council works with the Environment Agency in order make the decision whether or not to close the flood gates at Hessle.

“It is only when the water level in the Humber, including wave action, is predicted to reach a certain height around Cliff Road that the gates will be closed.

“When the Environment Agency is proposing to issue an alert, the duty officer will contact the council’s flood risk team to discuss the situation.

“A decision is made by council’s team where the gates need to be closed.

“On both Friday, February 18 and Sunday, February 20 the water levels were not predicted to reach the trigger level, and a conscious decision was made not to deploy resources to close the gates.

“Please be assured that the council is prepared to mobilise resources at short notice, seven days a week, but on these two occasions it was not deemed necessary.”

The Hessle Foreshore Tidal Defence Scheme, a 1m tall concrete and glass wall lining Cliff Road under the Humber Bridge, was completed last year.

They were built as part of an £11m flood defence scheme running along the River Humber from Hessle to west Hull which is designed to protect more than 4,000 homes.

The Hessle Foreshore area is at risk of flooding from rising water levels because it is low lying.

A tidal surge which caused 1m deep floods in December 2013 affected 40 homes and 44 businesses.