Sponsored by
Major boost to Horncastle flood defences
Fears of major flooding in Horncastle have receded even further after confirmation a new £55,000 pumping operation will go ahead.
A permanent pump will be housed in Ings Drain, close to Tes co car park.
The drain has been a major source of flooding in recent years - causing misery for residents and leading to damage running into thousands of pounds to properties in nearby Prospect Street.
The latest development comes just weeks after it was revealed a long awaited £7.9m flood defence project will finally go ahead in the River Bain valley to the north of Horncastle.
Work installing the pump - which will be controlled by computers - will start within the next couple of weeks and it should be operating fully by June.
The pump will be housed in a chamber. Sensors will pick up rising water levels - and the pump will be switched on automatically.
It will replace the recent system which involved using a temporary pump.
That led to delays - and the use of important manpower that could have been diverted to other problem areas.
The News understands the temporary pump was called into action eight times between last April and last Christmas.
Funding for the new system has come from Defra, via the Environment Agency. The project will be managed by the Witham Third District Internal Drainage Board.
Board spokesman Jane Froggatt said: “This is more good news for Horncastle and is in addition to the main scheme announced a few weeks ago.
“It will reduce the risk of flooding and because it is all automated, it means we can transfer labour to other areas under threat.”
Local county councillor Bill Aron and district councillor Fiona Martin were leading figures in the campaign for the pump.
In a joint statement, they said: “We are delighted. This scheme should really help.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Horncastle
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
