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Environment Agency - River works to reduce risk of flooding in Horncastle

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

16 March 2011

Homes and businesses in a Lincolnshire market town are to benefit from works to reduce flood risk.

The Environment Agency began removing silt from the River Bain in Horncastle today (16 March).

Around 500 tonnes of silt will be removed during the work which is taking place along a 200-metre section of river between Jubilee Way and Bull Ring Road bridge. A 30-metre section downstream of Stanhope Road weir will also be cleared.

Ian Russell, of the Environment Agency, said: “We are concentrating our efforts on removing silt from the most critical areas of the river where build-ups could increase the risk of flooding.

“Removing silt from the river will help to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in Horncastle by increasing the volume of water the river can carry. Less silt also means that water can flow away from built up areas more quickly. This is particularly important during periods of heavy rainfall.”

To minimise the impact of the work on businesses, traffic and wildlife, the Environment Agency will use a tanker to extract the mixed silt and water. A thickener will then be used to separate the silt before the water is returned to the river. Using the tanker avoids roads having to be closed during work. It will be parked in bays along Wharf Road for around a week and in one lane of Banks Road for approximately two days.

The work on the River Bain is being carried out by Breheny and ADC East Anglia Services and is expected to take two weeks to complete. Silt taken from the river will be used on farmland in the Bain valley.

In addition to the silt removal works in Horncastle, the Environment Agency has also constructed outfalls to alleviate flooding to property upstream of the Old Watermill in Kirkby-on-Bain. The outfalls will help drain land between the River Bain and Haltham Beck.

The work in Horncastle and Kirkby-on-Bain will help to reduce the risk of flooding but cannot completely remove it. It is vital people are prepared and know what action they can take should the worst happen.

Anyone wanting to find out more should contact the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood.

The website allows people to check whether their home or business is at risk of flooding and to sign up for the Environment Agency’s free Floodline Warnings Direct service.

Anyone who spots something which they believe is causing a flood risk should contact the incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.