FAQs

⊕ Why should government support this project?

The Lagoon Hull project is an opportunity to address the fundamental needs of the city and region through a single, transformational, public/private partnership infrastructure project. Lagoon Hull will support central, regional and local objectives for economic growth in the Northern Powerhouse, improve flood protection and improve northern transport connectivity and is aligned to support the objectives of the Local Industrial Strategy

⊕ Will it provide value for money?

Because the project delivers multiple benefits from a single project, the forecasts expect that the benefit to cost ratio for the project will be significantly positive.

⊕ Will it create jobs?

The potential for direct job creation from the port and renewable opportunities at the outer harbour are significant together with the wider growth potential for indirect jobs provided by the improved transport connectivity to the east of the city and the enhancement of the city centre and waterfront living environment. Studies suggest the potential for the creation of 19,000 skilled and semi-skilled jobs, which would add £1bn GVA per annum to the local economy.

⊕ Does it meet planning objectives?

The project directly addresses many of the key planning objectives for both local, regional and national government and could play a significant role in supporting the development of the Northern Powerhouse.

⊕ Will it affect the environmental designations on the Estuary?

The scale of effect is expected to be similar to that for a major dredged shipping channel and such has been completed for the London Gateway project on the Thames. A great deal of work will be required to assess the changes and design the works to ensure impacts are minimised and mitigated whilst at the same time identifying all opportunities to create additional and appropriate habitat. Early engagement with key agencies and stakeholders has already begun.

⊕ Will it cause pollution, gas emissions, CO2 etc?

The construction of Lagoon Hull will involve extensive recycling of dredged material to construct the causeway which will significantly reduce land based construction traffic and lower the overall carbon footprint. In operation, the design of Lagoon Hull will require minimal energy consumption which it is planned to supply from in situ renewable power generation. Emissions from traffic will be minimised by improved traffic flow around the city.

⊕ How will the environment be protected/enhanced?

The initial studies of the changes in the river bed suggest that by careful design of the new channel, it will be possible to minimise the effects on the wider estuary and that new habitat areas along the Lagoon Hull causeway will be created which may be suitable for the wildlife of the Humber.

⊕ What are the effects on flooding from rainfall, river and storm surge sources?

Lagoon Hull will provide an opportunity to better manage storm events within the River Hull catchment area by providing large scale storage for storm water from the River Hull and Hull frontage storm outfalls during high water periods.

A study by the University of Hull found that if Lagoon Hull had been in place during the 2013 tidal surge, the city of Hull would have had 100 per cent protection with the rest of the estuary seeing an 80 per cent reduction in flood volume.

Researchers also looked at how a repeat of that event would affect the area over the next 100 years with sea levels predicted to rise. They found that if the same tidal surge occurred in 2108, when sea levels are expected to have risen by one metre, Lagoon Hull would continue to provide 100 per cent protection for Hull with the rest of the estuary seeing a 33 per cent reduction in flood volume.

Although further feasibility studies are required to confirm these results, engineers working on the project are confident Lagoon Hull will play a major role in protecting the whole of the Humber region against future tidal surges.

⊕ What will it mean to climate change and rising sea levels?

Lagoon Hull will provide protection to address current sea level rise forecasts to 2115 and provide the opportunity for the city to adapt to living with water beyond that.

⊕ How does this project fit with the A63 Castle Street improvement work?

The existing plans for the upgrade of the A63 at Castle Street will provide much needed improvements for traffic flow and improved air quality, however, we need to look ahead, beyond the existing requirements, to the city and region’s requirement to further reduce separation between the city centre and its river front areas, and for traffic growth over the coming decades to support development to the east and for the need for through traffic to be able to bypass the city centre and for the further improvement of air quality within the city.

⊕ What will it mean for the existing heritage sites throughout the city?

Lagoon Hull will be looking to build on the existing maritime and cultural heritage of the city and the existing sites are expected to play a key role in this ambition with the opportunity to regenerate many of the older parts of the city particularly along the River Hull waterfront and through the western docks.

⊕ How will the project objectives deliver benefits for the area?

Lagoon Hull is focused directly on the needs of the people of the city and wider region. It delivers many of the objectives of the Hull City Plan. It will provide flood protection, transport improvements and regeneration opportunities for the city. It will increase growth and job creation across the region and support the development of the Northern Powerhouse on the east coast. And it will achieve this through the collaboration of public and private bodies working in partnership.

It provides an alternative option for the future development of the city based on the city’s maritime heritage and culture and provides multiple benefits from a single infrastructure project that addresses not only the needs of today, but also prepares the city for the next century.

⊕ Will it cause flooding elsewhere?

Initial studies suggest that there will be significant reductions in flooding from Immingham upriver into the Rivers Trent and Ouse. Downstream from Immingham indications are that there would be little or no change.

⊕ Will it change the rest of the estuary?

There will be some changes to water levels, flow speeds and siltation patterns. Initial studies suggest that these effects can be managed to ensure that the unique character of the estuary is safeguarded for generations to come. Protecting the estuary is a key objective of the project and there are plans to create new nature reserves around Lagoon Hull.

⊕ Will it create jobs near me?

It will provide the opportunity for considerable growth in the renewables energy market, port activity and industrial growth which will allow growth across the whole of the energy estuary and Humber region.

⊕ What will it mean to our way of life?

The region will have a new focus built on its maritime, environmental and industrial heritage bringing new opportunities, activities and jobs, and place the region on the national agenda for the place to live.

⊕ Will it improve traffic flow near me?

It will provide the capacity for reliable traffic flow from the Holderness plain into the M62 corridor and the Northern Powerhouse.

⊕ How will the south bank of the Humber benefit?

Lagoon Hull is a regional project that will unlock growth that will support jobs and industry on both sides of the Humber.

It will support the development of the Energy Estuary benefitting the whole region.

There will be a new dredged channel through the Skitter channel and some repositioning of existing navigation marks. All existing tidal windows and access will be maintained, but with a new vessel approach into King George and Alexandra Docks in Hull. There is likely to be some higher tidal flows to the south of Lagoon Hull during the peak periods of the flood and ebb and reduced tidal flows elsewhere in the estuary.

There will be two new locks into Lagoon Hull, one providing 24-hour access for small craft and existing river traffic, and one tidal access lock for large deep water commercial vessels and cruise ships. The tidal range in the River Hull will be limited to around 1.5m.

⊕ Will there be a financial impact on shipping?

Lagoon Hull is not expected to cause any change in the operating costs for existing commercial shipping.

⊕ Will it increase/decrease shipping volumes?

The outer harbour will generate an increase in shipping tonnage into and out of Hull and this is expected to cause an increase in shipping movements.

There will be a new dredged channel to the south of Lagoon Hull with 24 hour access for small craft into and out of Lagoon Hull. Water depths within Lagoon Hull, the marina and the River Hull will be suitable for leisure craft 24 hours per day.

⊕ Will it increase/decrease vessel numbers?

It is expected that leisure boats numbers would grow significantly.

⊕ What are the opportunities for river users?

The absence of tidal restrictions for Lagoon Hull and River Hull users will create significant opportunities for more people to engage in water activities and enjoy the natural beauty of the estuary.

⊕ Is it environmentally friendly, carbon neutral, green and sustainable?

Lagoon Hull will be designed to work in balance with the environment, regulating water levels to control flooding and provide stormwater storage. It will strive to protect the important habitats of the Humber estuary to preserve the international designations and also find opportunities to mitigate any impacts and create new habitats. It will minimise its construction carbon footprint through the extensive reuse of dredged materials and source its operating energy from in situ renewable power generation.

⊕ Will it affect the estuary, its habitats and flora and fauna?

There will be some effects on the estuary’s habitats, flora and fauna due to the changes in the morphology of the riverbed. These will be mitigated through detailed modelling of the new channel, working in partnership with the statutory environmental agencies and key environmental stakeholders, to ensure that all adverse impacts are fully minimised and all opportunities for habitat creation are developed.

⊕ Will it affect fish and lamprey migration and breeding grounds?

Lagoon Hull will not prevent the free migration of fish along the estuary. Fish and eel migration into the River Hull will be maintained with suitable passes and supporting measures.

⊕ Will it cause flooding?

Three independent bodies – the Environment Agency, ABPmer and the University of Hull – have conducted studies that are all in agreement: by constructing Lagoon Hull, the city of Hull will be protected for 100 years, without adversely affecting the rest of the Humber. In short, Lagoon Hull will not cause flooding.

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