The Outstrays - June 2026 Update

Update on Skeffling and Winestead Pumping Stations

The pumps at the new Skeffling pumping station were tested in December and responsibility for their operation is due to be handed over to the Environment Agency in summer 2026.

We have reprogrammed the demolition of the old Skeffling pumping station due to nesting birds on site. It is now due to be demolished and site works completed autumn 2026.

Once this work is completed, the compound off Long Lane will be removed. Part of the existing tarmacked site compound will then be converted into a public car park, large enough to hold 20 cars. In the autumn this year, a plot next to the car park will be planted with seedlings of deciduous trees, including maple, apple, cherry and oak and surrounded by a hedgerow of hawthorn, blackthorn, holly and guelder rose. Deer-proof fencing will be used around this to protect the young seedlings.

JBA Bentley staff will also install the two remaining interpretation panels for the site. One will be placed in the new car park and the last one on the embankment, close to the old Skeffling pumping station, offering a map of the site to guide visitors around it.

Figure 1: A picture showing current progress with the construction of the Winestead Pumping Station

Work on Winestead pumping station restarted in early March, with JBA Bentley staff returning to site at the end of February to prepare for the new construction season. The new pumping station is currently forecast to be complete early 2027, with demolition of the existing Winestead pumping station completed by winter 2027.

Access on The Outstrays: Paths and Bridleways

At both pumping stations, some access restrictions will still be required this year to ensure visitor safety. These are described below.

a) From the Eastern (Skeffling) end of the scheme

In the last newsletter we mentioned our intention to remove the existing diversion onto Long Lane and open the bridleway along the embankment, once work on the new Skeffling pumping station was completed. Currently, there is a gate across the embankment top, and walkers are directed to follow a diversion to avoid passing the new pumping station. However, this change has been delayed whilst we finalise a design that will meet required bridleway access standards whilst limiting vehicle access on top of the embankment.

We have met with East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s (ERYC) Public Right of Way officer to finalise plans and intend to open up the route along the embankment after the old pumping station is demolished. This route will not be suitable for disabled visitors. Wheelchair users and other disabled visitors should follow the route to the bridleway from the new Skeffling car park.

Figure 2: A picture showing the gate across the embankment at Skeffling pumping station. This will be in place until after the pumping station is demolished

The demolition of the old Skeffling pumping station should not affect public access along this section of the bridleway. Our contractors will carefully manage the site to maintain access and meet public safety standards whilst the work is carried out. The car park on the landward (dry) side of the embankment will remain open. However, visitors will no longer be able to park their cars on top of the embankment whilst the demolition is carried out.

b) From the Western (Outstrays) end

Whilst work on the new Winestead pumping station continues during 2026, we will need to divert a section of the King Charles III England Coast Path (ECP). We have worked with ERYC officers and our contractors to develop a route for this diversion.

We have agreed with ERYC that the ECP will be temporarily diverted as shown by the green line in the map below. The diversion will come into effect on the 29 June 2026 and will remain in place until winter 2027.

You can find the current version of the route for this section of the coast path at the ECP interactive website; King Charles III England Coast Path - North East Map and Information - National Trails. Just click on the map for the trail running from the Humber Bridge to Easington and enlarge the section from Sunk Island to Skeffling to see the route (also see map below). This is the approved route around the managed realignment site but will be updated in due course to facilitate the diversion shown in the map below.

Figure 3: Map showing the temporary diversion of the King Charles lll England Coast Path (green line)

Please be aware that if you are using an old map to navigate around the site, the paths shown will no longer be accurate. This includes former rights of way across the West Two wet grassland area which no longer exist. Crossing this protected area disturbs wildlife and is not permitted. The same applies to the old flood embankment, which is no longer a designated route. It is also not possible for visitors to cross the intertidal area south of Welwick, to reach Welwick Saltmarsh.

Additional signage will be installed to help visitors navigate around the site and keep to public paths. If you spot somewhere where you think there are gaps in the signage and some extra signs would help show the right route to take, please email welwick.skeffling@environment-agency.gov.uk

The track to the existing Outstrays pumping station will need to be temporarily closed to the public. This is because the excavation of inlet and outlet channels to and from the new pumping station will permanently cut cross this path to connect to Winestead Drain. This work is expected to take place either summer 2026 or spring 2027. We know that the track is a popular route for walkers and so hope to reopen it in autumn 2027, once the existing pumping station is demolished. We’ll provide more information about any restrictions in future newsletters.

Please follow all on-site instructions and do not climb over gates and fences where signs indicate that there is no public access. These restrictions are for public safety and to protect wildlife in the new intertidal and wet grassland habitats.

Disturbing birds is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you see anyone ignoring instructions to stay out of fenced-off areas, or witness antisocial behaviour such as off-road motorcycling, please report this to the police by visiting www.humberside.police.uk or calling 101.

Connecting bridleways

The scheme will have a new bridleway through Haverfield, connecting two existing ‘dead-end’ bridleways at each end of the site: one off Sheep Trod Lane and the other from Mulberry Lane. This will allow horse riders to travel from Skeffling to Patrington Haven without having to use the main road. We have been working with ERYC officers to agree the details of this route and expect it to be operational by winter 2026. Vegetation clearance was carried out in early 2026, before the bird nesting season, to link paths from the entrance off Mulberry Lane to the path along the drain, with further enabling works still to be delivered. The horse gate will be installed Summer 2026 and additional fencing provided. The horse gate layout is as the sketch and operated as per the photo below.

Figure 4: A diagram showing the design of the horse gate (left) alongside a photo of a horse gate being used (right)

Managing and monitoring The Outstrays

Whilst we continue to develop plans for the future, long-term, arrangements for the site, the Environment Agency will carry on with the direct management activities required to enable public access and ensure the sites wider habitat requirements and objectives are met.

JBA Bentley’s ecology team has begun a programme of environmental monitoring across the intertidal and wet grassland areas.

This initial monitoring is focused on establishing a clear picture of how the site is developing following the breach. This includes tracking changes in habitats and vegetation, recording how plant communities are establishing, and observing how wildlife uses the site. We are also monitoring physical conditions such as water levels, which play a key role in shaping these new environments.

This data will help us build a picture of how the site is evolving and provide a baseline against which future changes can be measured. Over time, this will allow us to assess how well the site is functioning as a whole and whether it is meeting its environmental objectives.

Contact Us

Environment Agency

For enquiries, please email: Welwick.Skeffling@environment-agency.gov.uk or phone our National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506506 and ask for Anthony Kidd, Project Manager.

JBA Bentley

For enquiries about the work on site, contact Paul Craig, the site manager on 07837 454048.