First spade in the ground signals the start of new flood defences

The Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Rob Waltham, local MP Andrew Percy, representatives of the Environment Agency, local councillors, CEMEX and the contractors (J P Bentley) met at CEMEX’s South Ferriby plant site to signal the start of the Environment Agency’s £12million scheme.

The plan is to build a new impermeable flood embankment west of the CEMEX cement plant on Sluice Road, South Ferriby and make improvements to the north of the A1077 where the embankment will be raised. New brick-clad walls will also be built around Ferriby Sluice.

“We are delighted to be contributing building materials to construct the new flood defences. In December 2013 floods devasted the CEMEX plant putting it out of production for over 12 months and causing immense damage to local homes and businesses. It was estimated that over £50million worth of damage was caused.

“But it is more that the damage itself, the local community, of which we are part, live in fear of a similar event happening again. With the new flood defences we will all have peace of mind,” comments Piotr Klepak, CEMEX Plant Director.

Mike Dugher, Deputy Director at the Environment Agency, said: “After many years of hard work with our partners, we’re pleased to mark the start of construction on a flood defence that will help protect around 150 homes plus local industry, agriculture, infrastructure and economy. We expect this much-anticipated £12m scheme to be completed by 2021.”

Ends