Maritime past of East Riding town is unveiled by MP

MP for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart, took part in a ceremony to show the history of Hedon Haven – once a bustling and important English port.

As part of the Hedon Haven Restoration Project volunteers have had a storyboard erected on what was once the bank of the haven. 

They hope the haven can be reopened and again be used by boats. The project would also provide a tourist draw for the area with a visitor centre, hotel and park land planned.

 The Hedon Navigation Trust was set up in 1998 and has had a successful feasibility study done by civil engineers. It is estimated the entire project will cost around £17 million.

 Graham said: “This whole project has been driven by volunteers who deserve enormous credit. Already they have proved that it is a viable scheme which would not only breathe life into the area, but also provide increased flood protection.

 “The only developments we seem to hear about in the Hedon area are for water treatment plants, abattoirs and incinerators. Wouldn’t it be great if, for once, this area was supported and enhanced rather than polluted and disregarded.”

 And he added: “Hedon is a great town and great place to live but would be better still if this ancient water way was restored. The new waterway would provide historic interest, environmental and ecological improvement, a boost to tourism and reduce the risk of floods. It certainly has my full support.”

 In 1158 Henry II granted a Borough Charter to the newly built port of Hedon. By the 13^th Century Hedon was described as the 11^th largest port in England.

 However the proximity of Hull, which was able to take larger vessels, saw trade slowly dry up in Hedon. Vessels finally stopped berthing at Hedon in the late 1960s and it was filled in in the 1970s.

 Funding obtained through the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader Plus enabled a feasibility study to be commissioned from civil engineers Ove Arup & Partners. The project will include a boat lift at Paull, a small marina at Havenside, a heritage park, caravan park and the enhancement of wildlife habitat.