The Humber Estuary

The Humber Estuary is a vast place. It starts at Trent Falls, where the Trent and the Ouse meet, widening towards the North Sea finally meeting open water past the crooked finger of Spurn Point. 

The character of the estuary changes from the reed-fringed inner estuary with bitterns and marsh harriers to the wide expansive mudflats, saltmarshes and sand dunes as the Humber blends into the coast of the North Sea. In winter, the estuary throngs with wildfowl and wading birds in such numbers it is considered a site of international conservation importance. 

In common with so many of our big estuaries, the natural world of the Humber sits cheek by jowl with industry. 

The central Humber south bank is an area of particularly intense economic activity and progressive development. 

We are working to ensure future development on the Humber complies with international law and does not result in a net loss to the environment. Industry and the natural world can exist side-by-side so long as developers and decision makers take the necessary steps to protect the Humber's precious habitats and environments. 

Another issue which threatens the precious natural environment of the Humber is coastal squeeze. Over the next century, a combination of rising sea levels and improved flood defences on the Humber Estuary will result in the loss of its wildlife-rich intertidal habitats. We are working with the Environment Agency to help them fulfil their legal obligation to replace these areas by creating new habitat.