Halcrow has been appointed to carry out a comprehensive study into the viability, costs and benefits of creating a constant water level in the River Hull.
The company is working with Hull Citybuild, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council as well as the Environment Agency on plans to impound the river. The £450,000 study is expected to take 18 months to complete.
Project director, David Wood, said: ‘If approved, the project would create significant regeneration opportunities throughout the area. In addition, it may provide opportunities for more effective flood management.’
Halcrow has already been involved in a number of similar schemes, most notably the Tees Barrage, which helped the regeneration of Tees Valley, and has aided the creation of a range of new waterside developments.