17/03/2006 - The need
to deliver a sustainable approach to managing
flood risk and invest almost £1 billion
over the next 100 years to protect the 300,000
people who live in the Humber’s tidal floodplain
will be discussed at the Environment Agency’s
Board meeting next Wednesday 22 March 2006.
The Board will make a decision on the Humber
Flood Risk Management Strategy, which sets
out a programme of work to make sure the
flood defences surrounding the estuary continue
to provide protection against rising sea
levels and the estuary’s valuable habitats
are properly protected. In the Humber estuary,
sea levels are currently rising by 1.8mm
a year, but expected to average about 6mm
a year over the next 100 years.
The strategy covers the tidal floodplain,
which:
has an area of about 90,000 hectares;
contains assets valued at more than £7
billion (including the homes of more than
300,000 people); and
is protected by tidal defences with a total
length of about 235km.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment
Agency said the strategy set out a programme
of work that recognised social and environmental
issues in the estuary.
"Large parts of Hull, Grimsby, Cleethorpes,
Immingham and Goole lie within the tidal
floodplain, along with major industrial
and commercial properties and the country’s
largest port complex.
"About 85% of the floodplain is farmed
and it also contains places important for
their historic and conservation value.
"Over the next five years, the strategy
focuses on work to improve existing flood
defences to protect people who live in the
floodplain. Work will also be needed to
create habitats in the estuary which are
being lost because of rising sea levels.
"Although the defences surrounding
the estuary are generally in good condition,
some areas need repairing now, and in the
long term, we expect these defence works
to offer a good standard of protection for
100 years or more.
"As any work undertaken in or near
the estuary could have an effect on sites
of environmental significance, issues are
being addressed through the Coastal Habitat
Management Plan as part of the strategy,"
Barbara Young said.
Approval for the Humber Flood Risk Management
Strategy will also be needed from Defra
and the Treasury.
The Environment Agency Board will meet
on Wednesday 22 March 2006 from 10.30am
at the Middlesborough Football Club, Riverside
Stadium, Middlesborough TS3 6RS. The meeting
is open to the public. Between 9.30am and
10.15am, Chairman Sir John Harman, Chief
Executive Barbara Young, and the Board members
will be available for the public to meet
and discuss items on the Board agenda.
The agenda and Board papers can be found
at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/board
