Riverside path reopens as £42m flood defence works near completion
SCENIC ROUTE TEMPORARILY CLOSED DURING UPGRADE SCHEME
A POPULAR riverside footpath is s reopening after an upgrade to flood d defences on Hull’s Victoria Dock.
Most of the route will open this s week so that people can walk along g the estuary front from The Deep up p to the corner at the Half Tide Basin.
It forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail and is usually a busy spot for walkers and cyclists.
The works have been part of an ongoing £42m tidal flood defence scheme for Hull.
The new defences along a 7km m stretch of the waterfront between n Victoria Dock and St Andrew’s Quay y will improve tidal flood protection n for 113,000 homes and businesses.
Helen Tattersdale, project manager for the Environment Agency, said: “To progress with our construction work, we had to temporarily close a section of the Trans Pennine Trail along the frontage promenade and divert pedestrians along South Bridge Road.
“We appreciate this has been inconvenient for local people and visitors and we are delighted that we can reopen this popular route again.”
She stressed the new defences were designed to reduce the risk of flooding rather than providing total protection against it. She said: “Even
We are delighted that we can reopen this popular route again
Helen Tattersdale
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.”
The new defences on the Victioria Dock frontage include a new concrete wall with flood gates at three locations – Camilla Close, Ocean Boulevard and Plimsoll Way.
Glazed panels will be installed in some places to ensure the new wall does not obscure views across the Humber.
A small section of footpath on the western edge of the Half Tide Basin will remain closed for a while to allow new flood gates to be fitted.
Elsewhere, all the flood defence works have been completed at Albert Dock while coping installation works are continuing at William Wright Dock.
At Victoria Pier, extended defences into the estuary are being constructed behind a new line of sheet piles infront of the exsiting flood walls.
At St Andrew’s
Quay, finishing touches are being applied to the new flood wall running from Makro to the forfmer St Andrew’s Dock. They include the installation of handrails and access steps and ramps.
Despite the two coronavirus lockdowns, work on the scheme is on target to be completed by March next year.
Councillor Mike Thompson, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, communities and environment, said: “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.
“While making these significant improvements to flood protection for Hull, we want to increase awareness of this riverside walking route and make it attractive and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.”