Holderness floodworks update

CONSTRUCTION OF FLOOD DEFENCES, which started in July 2009, to reduce risk to 450 properties in Burstwick and Hedon has been completed by the Environment Agency. The new banks and strengthened existing defences are now watertight as work continues to complete the cosmetic aspects of the £3 million scheme.

“Work in Hedon has been particularly complex because of the number of properties along the banks of Burstwick Drain,” said Environment Agency project manager Jamie Wolstencroft.

“Now the scheme is watertight the new and improved defences greatly reduce the risk of flooding to hundreds of properties in Burstwick and Hedon.”

According to the Environment Agency the flood defences will reduce the chance of flooding from Burstwick Drain to 0.5 per cent in any one year - the risk was previously about 10 per cent.

In Hedon, low spots in existing banks alongside Burstwick Drain have been raised, or sections of flood walls built, to provide a consistent level of protection to more than 350 properties.

In Burstwick, two new 1.5-metre high embankments have been built, reducing the risk of flooding to more than 100 in Burstwick, mainly in Skeckling Close.