£4.3M Grant Approved for South Humber Bank Drainage Project

A major drainage project on the south bank of the Humber has been given the green light thanks to funding from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Killingholme Marshes Drainage Scheme in North Lincolnshire is to receive a grant of £4,328,032 via the LEP from the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

The surface water drainage project will allow for further development of the South Humber Bank and the Able Marine Energy Park (pictured), which is set to become a bespoke, world-leading facility to serve the needs of the burgeoning offshore renewable energy sectors.

Other organisations which will benefit include the main C.Ro port facility, MoD South Killingholme Jetty, CLH Pipeline System, Phillips 66, Benton Transport, Network Rail, property firm Bethany Jayne, North Lincolnshire Council and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The project will cost £9,204,324 in total and is expected to safeguard 1,500 jobs.

“The South Humber Bank is strategically important to the region and the UK economy as a whole, and this project is vital to the future development of the area,” said Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“It will create a pumping station and other new drainage infrastructure to facilitate further development of the South Humber Bank, which forms the largest area of any Enterprise Zone in the UK as well as an important element of the recently successful Humber Freeport bid.

“The scheme will prevent future flooding of industrial land and property, ensuring that established businesses can remain and enable more inward investment on the South Humber Bank in the future.”

“A vital part of the jigsaw and great example of local support” is how ABLE UK Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson described the grant support for the pumping station as a means of progressing the development of the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP).

“The offshore wind sector is on the cusp of something very special,” he said. “We have clear and unambiguous policy from Whitehall through the Sector Deal and the increasingly demanding targets for both power generation and the extent of UK context – there is an unparalleled level of market visibility.

“Combine this with the sector’s extraordinary efforts in terms of developing new products and significantly reducing costs, and the sector is set to become a dominant factor in a post-Covid-19 UK economy.

“Confirmation of this Government funding, and of course the recently announced support in connection with the BEIS Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (OWMIS), will see the Able Marine Energy Park play a vital role in the process to put the Humber at the very heart of this dynamic sector.”

Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes, said: “I welcome this substantial grant for a much needed drainage scheme in Killingholme which has been approved by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and is supported by the Government’s Getting Building Fund.

“At the recent Budget, the Chancellor announced a further significant investment in the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP). This drainage project will allow for the further developments in the area which will help the UK pursue its ambition to be the ‘Saudi Arabia of Wind’, creating many more skilled jobs for local people.”

Councillor Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The approval of this funding means vital infrastructure work can begin to enable the development of the new port facility in North Lincolnshire and ensure that homes are protected at the same time.

“This Government cash is further investment that will unlock skills, jobs and investment, helping to transform the local economy – though it should be recognised for its significance regionally, nationally and internationally.

“This project provides a significant opportunity towards attracting and retaining highly skilled jobs to the area and will be a key driver for economic growth and prosperity for decades to come.”

Once completed the Killingholme Pumping Station, which is part of the scheme, will be adopted by North East Lindsey Drainage Board which will then be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.