An new project aimed at better understanding flood risk in Lincolnshire has been awarded £7.18m of Government funding over the next four years.
The new project, led by Lincolnshire County Council, was one of 25 schemes awarded funding by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, announced in 2020.
The project will create a better understanding of groundwater, the least understood flooding mechanism across greater Lincolnshire, and how it can be managed, both in terms of flood risk and as a resource.
Working with trial communities in Barton and Barrow on the Humber bank, Grimsby, and Scopwick near Lincoln – over the next four years, the results of this project will help inform future thinking to how organisations across the county, and more widely, approach challenges around groundwater.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Groundwater flooding is the least understood form of flooding nationally. This project will make great strides in addressing this gap by enhancing our capabilities to manage groundwater, whilst simultaneously protecting and enhancing the environment, minimising whole life carbon impacts, and providing amenity benefits”.
Morgan Wray, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency said: “As well as providing many local benefits, the evidence gained from this programme will enable successful approaches to be identified and implemented more widely.”
For further information regarding the project, visit the greater Lincolnshire groundwater project page on the Engage Environment Agency website or email Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
As part of the first stage of the project Lincolnshire County Council is seeking assistance from landowners and private individuals to help understand the location of existing boreholes to assist in monitoring and current and future groundwater levels in the trial areas,
If you have a borehole within your property or land and would be willing to work with the council, please contact Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
