Hundreds of homes in Lincolnshire better protected against flooding

New multi-million pound flood defences have been completed in Louth and Horncastle, reducing flood risk to over 350 properties.

The £6.5 million scheme in Louth and £8.1 million one in Horncastle were delivered by the Environment Agency, Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council, Anglian Water and the Lindsey Marsh and Withal Third Internal Drainage Boards, with Louth and Horncastle town councils funding continuing maintenance.

The Louth scheme consists of a flood storage reservoir on the northern branch of the River Lud, and one on the southern branch of the river.

The Horncastle one consists of a single flood storage reservoir on the River Bain. As part of this project, a number of residents whose homes are at risk of flooding from the River Waring were offered property-level flood protection, such as air brick covers and flood doors.

Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We all know the kind of devastation flooding can cause within a community, and many of us in Lincolnshire have had first-hand experience of such misfortunes.

“We are all too aware of the misery and long-term disruption that flooding brings, and that’s why one of the county council’s top priorities is to reduce the risk to Lincolnshire homes.

“Projects like this are vital to achieving that aim, and that’s why we continue to invest in improving our flood defences despite the difficult financial climate.

“In addition to our £6 million contribution to the new defences in Louth and Horncastle, we have successfully bid for government funding for projects in Lincoln, Washingborough and Tetney, Folkingham, Holbeach and Heighington.

“And there are also a significant number of smaller surface water schemes which have been delivered at a local level across the county.

“Of course, it’s impossible to prevent flooding entirely, so another important area of work is ensuring that our local communities are as well-prepared as possible.”