Clocks turned back at Alkborough - new direction in flood risk management

Some 440 hectares of land will be used to harness the natural properties of wetlands to lessen the threat from tidal flooding.

The project is a flagship for the government's approach to flood risk management, which could see wetlands and washlands created, the shoreline re-shaped and the widening of river corridors.

Mr Morley said:

"Alkborough is a fine example of a sustainable approach to reducing flood risk by working with the forces of nature. Such long-term solutions are essential if we are to protect the lives and homes of people who live and work in the area as well as the many businesses that are based around the estuary.

"We all know that the risks from flooding in the UK will increase as a result of the more extreme weather events prompted by climate change - and it is important that we are prepared.

"We need to work with nature, not against it, if we are to protect all the things we value - economic, environmental and social - in these vulnerable estuary and coastal areas. This scheme is able to provide a wide variety of benefits because it is underpinned by a sound understanding of estuary processes and sustainable principles. It should provide an example and a beacon and I am looking forward to seeing similar schemes being developed across England over the coming years."

The Alkborough Flats scheme is designed to reduce the risk of flooding in the area by returning previously arable land to the estuary. By allowing water to flood the land, the risk of flooding in the inner Humber and tidal rivers will be reduced. An additional benefit of the scheme will be the creation and improvement of habitats for local wildlife. It is expected that the final breaching of the current defences and flooding of the Alkborough site will take place in late summer, 2006.

The government's flood and coastal erosion risk strategy, 'Making Space for Water', sets the direction of travel for flood and erosion risk management for the future. The government wants to see the risks to people reduced by working with nature to improve people's quality of life and conserve wildlife. Responses to the consultation exercise held last year were very supportive of this approach and the government announced in March how it proposed to take forward its vision. But none of this will be possible without the cooperation and creative thinking of the kinds of government delivery agencies and partners that have made the Alkborough scheme possible.