85 “high consequence” flood defences across Hull and the East Riding are “below required condition”. The BBC Shared Data Unit has compiled extensive data on flood defences in England inspected by the Environment Agency.
“High consequence” defences protect multiple homes and businesses. The data shows there are more than 6,500 “high consequence” defences in England that are “below required condition”.
In Hull, 367 out of 371 flood defences are “high consequence”. 22 flood defences, all “high consequence” ones, have been deemed below required condition.
For East Riding, 854 out of 1,301 flood defences are “high consequence”. 101 defences in total are assessed as below required condition, though only 63 of these are “high consequence”.
Flooding Minister Emma Hardy (Labour – Hull West and Haltemprice) told MPs in April 3,000 of the Environment Agency’s 38,000 high-consequence assets were in the “poorest condition on record” following “years of under-investment”. Responding to the BBC Shared Data Unit analysis, Ms Hardy has said: “We inherited flood assets in their worst condition on record.
“Our immediate response was to redirect £108 million into maintenance and repair works. But this is just the start.
“We’re investing at least £10.5 billion – the largest programme ever – in flood defences until 2036. This will build new defences and repair assets across the country, protecting our communities for decades to come.”
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Protecting people… from the devastating impact of flooding is a top priority – which is more important than ever as climate change brings more extreme weather. If an asset is deemed to be ‘below required condition’, this means that work is required, it may not have failed and may still perform as expected during a flood event.”
The spokesperson added if an asset’s performance is reduced, it takes action to ensure flood risk continues to be managed effectively until its repair or replacement. “We have invested…over £265 million in schemes to reduce flood risk in Hull and East Riding, to better protect local communities.”
In 2024/25, £36 million was reprioritised from capital investment by the Environment Agency to repair defences damaged during storms and flood events. In the current 2025/26 financial year, £72m has been reprioritised towards maintaining assets.
In Hull, there has been £55m Government funding since 2015/16 in the Hull River Defences scheme. Combined, Government and partners investment in flood defences in Hull and East Riding since 2015 amounts to £342m and has led to over 56,000 homes and properties being better protected.
Earlier this year, Ms Hardy visited Dutch River in Goole as £2.5m defence investment was announced for the Goole and Pocklington area.
By: Ivan Morris Poxton, LDRS
