Victim of flooding defends wall plans

A FLOOD victim has hit back over complaints about a huge new flood wall set to be built on the banks of the Humber.

Plans for an £11m tidal defence scheme – including a flood wall – were approved last month, but some objectors branded it a “waste of money”.

However, one resident, who lives 50ft from the river on Hessle Foreshore, says the protection is vital to prevent further destruction like the floods he experienced there six years ago.

Graham Walker, 60, who has lived with his wife in the same house in Cliff Road for 36 years, is backing the plans after suffering during the 2013 floods.

He said: “I know it is isn’t ideal but we need it, not just for the houses along the front but for the railway line, because in 50 years’ time the water will be over the tracks unless we do something.

“If you come down to the riverfront on a spring tide, it is really close to the knuckle and if you have bad wind to go with it, then it’s over.”

A tidal surge swept the area in December 2013, leading to the flooding of up to 40 residential and 44 commercial properties, with the low-lying ground being swamped by up to 3ft of water.

Mr Walker was one of those victims.

He said: “I remember seeing the water flowing through our letterbox, it was case of getting myself, my wife and our dog upstairs and away from the flooded ground floor.”

Ahead of any potential flooding, Hessle Foreshore residents get text and email alerts from the Environment Agency warning them of the level of risk. The defences are expected to benefit more than 4,000 properties in the area, as well as cut flood risk to the A63, the railway and electricity substations. Construction on the new tidal barrier could get underway later this year.