Hessle Foreshore Tidal Defence Scheme

Constructing Excellence National Civil Engineering Project of the Year 2022.

Overview

The tidal surge of December 2013 saw 40 homes and 44 businesses flooded in the Hessle area. With predicted sea level rise due to climate change, this type of event is anticipated to become much more frequent.

Tasks / challenges

Our scope of services included designing a flood tidal barrier along the Humber River on a focused area 1.5km long. This was a requirement due to tidal surges in this stretch of river, which combined with rainfall and wind causes wave action resulting in potential flooding. The project also included building a flood defence barrier on a nearside carriageway to the Humber River and improvements to the Hessle Clough structure.

Activity

Extensive feasibility work was undertaken to determine the most effective infrastructure solution. Three locations were identified as being below the accepted minimum level of 6.9m above ordnance datum (AOD), and as such formed the Hessle Foreshore Tidal Defence Scheme (HFTDS):

• The properties on and around Cliff Road, to be protected by a concrete and glass defence structure which maintains the scenic views of the Humber Estuary and complements the Grade 1 listed Humber Bridge under which the HFTDS extends.
• Improving protection of the A63 with an innovative dual-purpose flood defence and vehicle restraint system (VRS) to protect against over-topping of the A63 maintaining use of this strategic highway and protecting properties to the north.
• Improving the Hessle Clough structure, with a raised concrete ring beam to prevent over-topping, protecting Hessle and west Hull to the north.

These sections were delivered under separate construction contracts in order to accelerate delivery, thus benefiting the local community and making the area more attractive for inward investment.

Results

The three defences that form the HFTDS have been completed to the £11m budget and provide effective flood protection to over 4000 homes and businesses in Hessle and west Hull. They are designed to be in keeping with their settings, require minimal ongoing maintenance and are resilient to climate change over the next 50 years. The HFTDS provides a 1-in-200 year standard of protection (SoP) to Hessle and west Hull.

Constructing Excellence - Regional Project of the Year & National Civil Engineering Project of the Year 2022.

British Construction Industry awards finalist 2022.

Sustainability Assessment, Rating and Awards Scheme for Civil Engineering, Infrastructure, Landscaping and the Public Realm, the project achieved CEEQUAL Sustainability Performance Rating of Excellent (82.3%).