25th September 2018
A group of fifteen Swedish officials are visiting Hull to discover how the city's infrastructure has been improved to better protect against the threat of flooding.
On Wednesday 26 September, Hull City Council will welcome the County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland, a city that sits on the western coast of Sweden.
Their trip will include site visits to the Willerby and Derringham Flood Alleviation Scheme, the Hull tidal surge barrier and a tour of the Humber frontages.
Councillor Daren Hale, portfolio holder for flood risk, said:
“We look forward to welcoming the Swedish delegation to our city, and showing them the physical change in infrastructure that Hull has developed since those devastating floods in 2007.
“Our dedicated flood risk team has been absolutely instrumental in understanding the risks posed to Hull, and whose in-depth studies have led to external funding for flood defence schemes.
“We have already been recognised as a leading local authority in this field of work as flooding remains a high priority for us, and the extensive work and investment that has taken place so far will help to reduce against the probability of flooding and lead to the creation of the Living with Water partnership.”
The first of its kind, the Living with Water partnership brings together four crucial authorities including Hull City Council, Yorkshire Water, Environment Agency and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, who are jointly working together to combat flood risk and develop water resilience.
The Living with Water team is currently working on developing a City Water Resilience Framework to ensure Hull and East Yorkshire is a major global player in flood risk management.
One of the key steps towards this was a successful application to be part of a global resilience study. Hull was selected, as one of only five cities, to take part in a project funded by the philanthropic Rockefeller Foundation, to help develop a global framework for water resilience. They have been selected alongside Amman (Jordan), Cape Town (South Africa), Mexico City and Greater Miami and the Beaches (United States).
A unique, flood-related obstacle course will take place across the city centre in October to raise awareness about the risks of flooding, and encourage members of the public to engage in thought-provoking, water-themed activities.
