No timescale for repairs to damaged river bank in Crowland

Officials say they are unable to give a timescale when a river bank which collapsed in last week’s storm will be repaired.

The Environment Agency says it is investigating what caused the bank on the outskirts of Crowland to give way and send the swollen River Welland flooding into nearby fields – causing devastation for farmers.

Storm Henk created havoc across the county last week when the deluge of rain caused flooding for homes and businesses, including the Waterside Garden Centre in Baston.

The EA has come under fire recently from farmers on the Cowbit and Crowland Washes for not repairing a large fox hole on the affected section of bank ahead of the collapse.

A spokesperson said: “Environment Agency officers are on site and currently assessing the extent of the damages that occurred at the cradge bank on the Cowbit and Crowland washes last week.”

“We are investigating whether the damage resulted from vermin or water infiltration through a bank weakness, hence we are unable to specify a repair timeline at this stage.”

“We are actively working with our partners to determine the direction of the project going forward."

The EA was also under fire last week after the Bourne Eau breached its banks in the Tongue End area after a hole which had been reported in the summer was not repaired ahead of the winter storms.

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