Pumping stations that reduce flood risk to be given £1.2m upgrade

A £1.2m project to update two pumping stations that reduce flood risk and drain low lying agricultural areas into the River Hull is set to begin soon.

The Hempholme and Wilfholme pumping stations, which operate on the River Hull between Driffield and Beverley, need to be refurbished in order for them to continue reducing the risk of flooding in the area at times of heavy rainfall.

The project is a partnership between East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Environment Agency and the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board, which have been working on the scheme for a number of years.

The council successfully secured funding of £840,000 from the Local Growth Fund which has been secured by the Humber LEP from Government as part of their commitment to the Northern Powerhouse, plus £360,000 from the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board.

The improved pumping stations will reduce the risk of flooding to 348 hectares of land either side of the River Hull and the work is due be completed by autumn 2020.

The scheme includes the purchase and installation of new pumping units, new control mechanisms and the refurbishment of some existing equipment.

Councillor Chris Matthews, portfolio holder for strategic management at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “This project has been made possible thanks to great partnership working through the River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy.

“We welcome the Humber LEP’s view in prioritising flood risk investment and including this important strategy in their Investment Plan.

“We’re very pleased to be supporting this project, which will ensure the pumping stations continue to provide a reliable means of lifting surface water in the lower level land drainage system into the high level system.

“The investment will also reduce the ongoing operation costs by introducing more efficient dry weather pumps.”

Bill Symons, clerk to the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board, said: “The board is delighted that the refurbishment of these two pumping stations will be underway shortly.

“The recent heavy rainfall saturated and flooded the land which the pumping stations drain, demonstrating the need for these pumping stations as highlighted in the River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy.

“The implementation of this work will ensure the pumps are updated with modern reliable electrical controls and efficient pumping equipment to sustain good economic service and reliability for the future.

“We are particularly grateful to the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership for investing in this project with the Board as part of the wider implementation plan of the River Hull Integrated Catchment Strategy.”

Lord Chris Haskins, chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (Humber LEP), said: “We are pleased to provide funding for this project to further bolster the Humber region’s flood defences.

“As recent heavy rainfall has highlighted, we must continue to protect homes and businesses from the risk of flooding and this project to improve two pumping stations will help mitigate the effects of flooding in this agricultural area.

“The Humber LEP continues to see flood mitigation as an important issue in our region and we are pleased to support our local authorities’ efforts to improve their defences and take preventative measures.”

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “We’re committed to boosting economic growth and levelling up communities across the North and the Midlands.

 “Thanks to £840,000 from the Local Growth Fund, this essential work to will reduce the risk of flooding in the area to protect homes, businesses and valuable farm land.”