Shadow minister meets with Lagoon Hull team to share latest project progress 

A shadow minister has given the thumbs up to Hull’s most transformative project in a generation

On a visit to meet the Lagoon Hull team in the city, Alex Sobel MP, Shadow Minister for Nature Recovery and the Domestic Environment, praised the potential impact on flood prevention and placemaking – branding the plans as a chance to “secure the future of Hull”. 

The Labour MP was greeted by Lagoon Hull founder Tim Rix and project director Paul Hatley who shared the project’s vision with the Labour MP. Sean Clough, parliamentary assistant to Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy, also attended as progress keeps gathering pace.

Given his environmental focus, Mr Sobel was keen to hear the way traffic flow will be enhanced on new and existing routes, with air quality projected to improve as a result of reduced stationary traffic.

Among the other key points discussed in the two-and-a-half hour meeting was the potential to add 19,000 new jobs to the economy of Hull and the East Riding, including quality apprenticeships. The question of where the current plans for a ferry terminal beside The Deep fit into the Lagoon Hull vision was also covered – the answer being that ferries will be able to access the inner harbour via entrance gates on the lagoon structure.

The meeting concluded with a discussion about the next steps to drive further progress, with a range of complex issues set to be tackled by the multi-pillared approach to flooding, traffic management and creating a destination to be proud of.

The wave of support for Lagoon Hull continues to grow, with 2,198 people so far having signed up to back the project. To add your name to the list and stay updated on progress through The Splash monthly newsletter, visit www.lagoonhull.co.uk/support.