£4 million secured to improve drainage and reduce flood risk in North East Lincolnshire

£4 million secured to improve drainage and reduce flood risk in North East Lincolnshire

£4 million has been secured to make sustainable drainage improvements and reduce flood risk in North East Lincolnshire, it has been announced.

The Environment Agency made the announcement of the grant, which has been given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.

Over the course of the next four to six years, the funds will be used to introduce sustainable drainage systems to the existing highway network.

The innovative plans are one of only 25 bids to be successful, and will tackle significant surface water flood risks in the area.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “I am delighted with the news that we have been successful with the biggest grant capital funding bid for drainage improvements by the council in its history.

“Residents will see significant flood mitigation works over the coming years with this funding and this will reduce the flood risk to hundreds of properties in Grimsby and Immingham.

“It is a long-term scheme, and with the funding now secured, drainage engineers at ENGIE will be working with stakeholders and partners to develop the proposals.

“As the scheme progresses and we move forward, we will be engaging with local residents and stakeholders.”

The sustainable drainage measures will be built into the existing highway and will deliver natural methods of drainage.

The innovative methods will significantly reduce the amount of water entering the current drainage systems, so any systems currently struggling with capacity can be better managed during periods of heavy rainfall.

The improvements likely to be included in the scheme include the conversion of roadside verges into rain gardens, the use of water butts, and the use of permeable paving areas for the temporary storage of flood water.

Drainage engineers are already progressing a number of possible schemes which will be supported by the funding.