Sep 26 2006
The largest flood storage project in Europe, the Alkborough Flats Tidal Defence Scheme in Lincolnshire, will reduce the risk of flooding for 300,000 people and become a haven for wildfowl and wading birds, the Environment Agency said today (Monday).
The scheme, which will involve breaching the existing flood defences, will help lower high tide levels by allowing water from the estuary to run over the Alkborough Flats to create a massive flood storage area.
The managed re-alignment at Alkborough allows flood water from the Humber estuary to spill out of the river during the highest tides to fill the low lying land. The capacity of the site is so great that the Environment Agency is predicting a 150mm reduction in high tide levels over a large part of the upper estuary.
The project will also create a huge new inter-tidal habitat, attracting more species of wildfowl and wading birds to the area including shelduck, wigeon, teal, avocet and redshank.
The site is being used as a demonstration project to help promote new approaches to the impacts of sea level rise across Europe. The effects of climate change are expected to increase high tide levels in the Humber Estuary, which, if defences were left as they are, would increase the risk of flooding for the 300,000 people who live in the area.
John Pygott, Environment Agency Project Manager, said: "We are delighted to be able to formally open this scheme and look forward to a successful future for the site. It's a great demonstration of the number of benefits this kind of scheme can bring and what a combination of partners working well together can achieve.
"This pioneering scheme is a result of the Environment Agency's long-term vision for flood risk management around the Humber over the next 100 years - 'Planning for the rising tides'. Overall, we are planning to spend more than £80 million in the next five years on a combination of traditional flood defences and managed realignment schemes.
"I would like to thank all of our partners who have been involved over the years and who have helped us to complete such a fantastic scheme."
Ian Pearson, Environment and Climate Change Minister, who will officially open the scheme on Wednesday 20 September, said: "Both people and wildlife stand to benefit in a big way from the work being carried out in Alkborough. It is the largest joint flood risk and habitat creation project of its kind in Europe and I am very proud to be associated with it.
"The Alkborough scheme and the overall Humber flood management strategy typifies the joined up approach that will be needed if we are to successfully adapt to the increased risks of flooding associated with climate change and sea level rise.
"Government spending on managing the risk from flooding and coastal erosion has increased by 35% in real terms since 1997 and this is delivering enormous benefits to communities across England. The Government is committed to protecting people and property as well as improving the environment. By working with, rather than against, the forces of nature, as the Environment Agency is doing here on the Humber, we will be able to maximise the benefits we get for this investment."
The Alkborough scheme is the second managed realignment site on the Humber Estuary to be completed as part of the Humber Strategy. The total cost of the scheme is £10.2 million, with the funding coming from a wide range of sources including DEFRA, Yorkshire Forward (the Regional Development Agency), the European Union (via the Interreg programme), English Nature and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Humber Strategy sets out the Environment Agency's vision for sustainable flood risk management on the Humber Estuary for the next 100 years.