Three Lincolnshire projects to get share of £25million to tackle flooding

Three Lincolnshire projects will be getting a share of a £25million Government scheme to help tackle flooding.

Barrow Beck chalk stream, upper River Rase catchment and North Willingham tributary along with the Field Beck near Holdingham are the three county projects which will be getting cash in measures announced by Floods Minister Robbie Moore today (Friday, February 23).

These schemes will use natural measures such as planting trees and creating leaky barriers in order to reduce the risk of flooding.

Lincolnshire County Council will be adding ponds, woodland planting, leaky barriers across across the Barrow Beck and winter flood storage areas, to hold water upstream of Barrow upon Humber at times of heavy rainfall.

The council will also be increasing flood resilience around Middle and Market Rasen by improving the River Rase catchment and North Willingham tributary. It will create leaky barriers, scrapes, field bunds, cross drains and ponds, in conjunction with bank reprofiling and planting.

TheEast Mercia Rivers Trust will reduce the risk of flooding from the Field Beck and surface water to local properties and the A15 Lincoln Road around the Holdingham area. It will be reconnecting the Field Beck to its floodplain, storing flood water upstream along with planting trees and installing leaky barriers on land owned by the Rauceby Estate

The announcement comes after a wide range of applications were submitted to the Environment Agency by community groups, environmental charities and councils for grants.

Floods Minister Robbie Moore said: “It’s vital we use nature as an ally in our work to become ready for climate change, helping to restore the natural environment and protecting homes and businesses. That’s why we’re funding the biggest-ever investment in natural flood management – and it’s great to see the huge demand.

“These schemes will complement traditional bricks-and-mortar defences, all funded by our £5.2 billion flood programme. This programme is one more part of our plan to bolster flood resilience and shield communities – all whilst boosting biodiversity, restoring habitats and protecting the environment for future generations.”