The next phase of the Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme is set to launch as the Environment Agency gears up to begin upgrades that will lead to more than £1bn of economic benefit over the next 25 years.
As part of the £29m project, around 4.5 kilometres of coastal defences along the Humber estuary’s south bank will be improved, securing 2,300 properties, nationally important infrastructure, vital industry, and regions that North East Lincolnshire Council has earmarked for future development.
This is the third stage of the improvement scheme, which has mended and fortified sea walls between Immingham and Grimsby over the last 15 years.
This latest round of works will feature the installation of large rocks, known as rock armour, along three kilometres of the seaward side of the flood defence – this will cover the Middle Drain in the northwest to the New Cut Drain in the southeast. The last 1.5 kilometres of defences will be repaired.
The lion’s share of this work will be done over the next three years, including pauses during winter to mitigate ecological impacts to the seaward side of the defence.
Stallingborough’s coastal walls were originally constructed after devastating floods in 1953 and are now at a growing risk of damage from rising sea levels and more frequent storms.
Cabinet member for the environment at North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Stewart Swinburn, said: “Our coastline is an incredibly important one to protect, not only for the wonderful natural habitat, but also for the economic and industrial growth on the South Humber shore.”
He continued: “The Humber Estuary’s natural tidal flow is something we have to embrace and work with, but by providing this investment in flood protection measures, the risk to people and businesses in this area is significantly less.”
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