Holbeach residents voice their fury during meeting over Boston Road South

Angry and frustrated residents demanded answers - and compensation - from Anglian Water as a battle over a Holbeach road continues.

Residents aired their views at a public meeting in Holbeach Methodist Church on Tuesday night, where representatives from the firm and Lincolnshire County Council heard how ongoing works on Boston Road South have impacted people.

Residents demanded answers from both organisations, with many reporting damage to their homes as a result of the works which have been running since a sinkhole first appeared in 2019.

One resident reported cracks inside and outside their home, while another said he was unable to run his business due to the works.

Paul Kirby, of Paul’s Carpets, said: “I understand the work has got to be done but we can’t get out of our drives. This means that I have to close my business down until I can get out again.”

Another resident added: “I’ve had cracks appear in my ceiling and my outside wall and I was told by a man in a high-vis jacket not to even think about selling my home. It’s an absolute joke.”

Adam Cooper, senior project engineer at Anglian Water, responded - to gasps from the audience: “If you’re concerned about your house you should get a survey.”

However, Richard Fenwick, LCC Head of Highways Asset and Local Management Services, said it would be ‘worthwhile’ for the county council to ‘speak directly with affected residents’ to find a way forward to helping them.

Residents were also left furious on Monday when they found that they were unable to leave their homes due to another closure.

Lincolnshire County Council highways manager Dan Goodman admitted this was his fault after a ‘last minute decision’ which he said he had ‘prepared a press release for but hadn’t carried out a subsequent letter drop’.

Anglian Water was also lambasted for its lack of communication, with both residents and Coun Carter highlighting the issue.

Rose Shiler, regional engagement officer for Anglian Water, said that she was ‘really sorry’ for the disruption and the firm ‘could have done better’ in terms of communicating with residents.

Resident Mr Kirby added: “There’s eight properties affected so why can’t you let the people in front of the sinkhole know what’s going on?”

Sir John Hayes also attended the meeting.

After resident Paddy Plaice queried figures provided as part of a response to a Freedom of Information request by Holbeach Parish Council, he called on Anglian Water and the county council to report the ‘absolute bottom line figures’ for the work.

Sir John also supported calls for financial compensation from Anglian Water for residents, perhaps through paying their water rates.

He said: “If it’s not good enough for me, then it’s not good enough for the people I represent. Anglian Water has got a lot to answer for here and I am telling you that it’s not acceptable.

“For Anglian Water, paying the water rates would be peanuts so why not do that?”

The crowd went on to tell representatives that there were still issues along the road which they were worried would only mean further works and closures in a few months.

Mr Cooper said he understood the situation is frustrating, adding “We are incredibly sorry and are trying to do everything we can to repair the sewers.”

Mr Fenwick added: “I am sorry for what has happened. We need to take these comments on board and make sure this never happens again.”

It is hoped that the work will be completed over the next two weeks and the county council will look at the possibility of reducing the speed limit and imposing a weight limit on the road.