Climate Report - Hull and East Riding properties at 'significant risk' of flooding

HULL AND THE EAST RIDING have the highest number of properties at risk from flooding of all local authorities in England. In the last 10 years the East Riding has seen a 12% increase in developed land that that is considered to be at significant flood risk.

This stark assessment has been presented in a report published by the Committee on Climate Change who are independent advisers to the Government. The report Adapting to climate change in the UK comments on how well the UK is prepared to deal with climate change and risks.

“The results in this report demonstrate how a sharper focus on the UK’s current vulnerability to climate can improve the way we prepare for climate change. By taking steps to manage this vulnerability, local communities, businesses and households can save money today and reduce the costs of climate change in the future." 

Lord John Krebs

Points of local interest to note from the report are:

• Hull and East Riding have the highest number of properties at risk from flooding of all local authorities in England and one of the most rapidly eroding coastlines.
• The Environment Agency categorises a 'significant risk' of flooding as one where there is a greater than 1 in 75 chance that weather severe enough to cause a flood, will overwhelm defence structures or lead to their failure. The East Riding has seen a 12% increase in land at significant flood risk since 2001.
• Good practice is recognised in the Holderness District Local Plan which imposes strict controls on developments near its eroding coastline in order to reduce vulnerability to flooding.

The report sets out a series of actions, which if implemented more widely could reduce the affects and costs of climate change. These include:

• Flood protection - package of measures to reduce damages from flooding e.g. air-brick covers, door-guards and drainage bungs.
• Tighter regulations on new housing to improve their adaptability.

You can download the report Adapting to climate change in the UK from the Commission on Climate Change website.

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Red Dye Sea Testing

Note: Not an actual photo of  the dye

Residents and holidaymakers are being urged not to be concerned if they spot large plumes of red water in the sea off the coast of Skipsea and Withernsea from Monday 11th to Sunday 17th October 2010.

Yorkshire Water is conducting environmentally friendly dye-tests in a bid to build a greater understanding of how its sewer outfalls at both locations can impact on the quality of local bathing waters.

The company, which is planning to invest £110 million over the next five years to meet new environmental standards, is monitoring how long it takes for discharges to reach the sea and the effect of underwater currents and tides.

Bathing Water Strategy Manager Lee Pitcher said the dye will have no impact on fish, birds, or other wildlife.

“The dye itself is completely inert and is not harmful in any way to plants and wildlife. Over the course of the seven days, we'll be releasing different volumes from our outfalls and then tracking where it goes. This testing is hugely beneficial as it should give us a clearer picture of how our outfalls operate and the impact they have, helping to inform our planning around future investment. This activity has to be undertaken during the bathing season to ensure that it takes into account weather and environmental conditions that are typical of the season to ensure that we fully understand the impact of our sewer outfalls." 

Dye-testing was undertaken in Scarborough and Bridlington back in 2008, with similar work recently completed at Filey, Staithes, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay.

Source: Yorkshire Water press release

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