Flood-prone Holbeach A17 underpass: county council promises action

The county council is apologising for recurring flooding and promising action at an A17 underpass used by schoolchildren in Holbeach.

Police on Monday put out a warning because they feared youngsters might opt for a potentially unsafe crossing point on the major road as the underpass was unusable.

University Academy Holbeach (UAH) principal Sheila Paige said staff always support PCSOs as they assist pupils across the road in the mornings and evenings and, on Tuesday, executive principal Steve Baragwanath, was there.

She said: "Pupil safety is our priority."

Workmen drained the underpass on Tuesday but UAH will be writing to Lincolnshire County Council to see what can be done to prevent future flooding.

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: "We're sorry about the recurring drainage problem in the underpass. We are investigating the source of the excess water.

"The underpass has a well-maintained pumping system, and under normal circumstances it would cope easily. Recently, however, more water is entering the pumping system from another source and the pumps are working as hard as they can to shift it.

"Once we have identified the source of the extra water, we will carry out whatever changes to the drainage or pumping system are required to resolve this."

Police asked pedestrians to cross at the Boston roundabout lowered kerb and avoid the Park Road junction.

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