The remedial works on the B1180

Concerned that as part of the remedial works on the B1180 to stabilise the flood embankment and for the installation of VRS along the road, vital flood defences were removed.

1. Did the stone wall that was removed as part of these works ever form part of the flood defences along the B1180?

2. Was an assessment ever carried out to determine the risk of flooding with the removal of the wall and if so can I have details and was this ever communicated to local bodies? Along the Glen when the flood embankment drops in height a section of wall is installed (see photos attached). These are sections of the embankment with no road traffic near and line up with the embankment height at either ends. The severity of this issue is high and the consequential impact would be significant, causing closure and damage to the B1180 and significant flooding behind the embankment including the rail line, properties and the village of Pinchbeck. This was a joint scheme, jointly funded by the EA and Lincolnshire Highways.

3. Can you recognise this as a significant risk and understand the consequences to your assets should the River overtop the embankment. In the last 2 years the level of the River has been within 2 feet of overtopping the embankment and as previously stated historically water levels in the River have come up the wall.

4. I would like a level survey along this section of road and comparable sections (including the wall) to confirm or not that the embankment is lower on this section

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. As per the response from the Floods &Water team, the River Glen is designated as a ‘Main River’. As per Central Government’s definition of this term, this means that the Environment Agency has permissive powers to carry out maintenance, improvement or construction work on main rivers to manage flood risk. As a result, the flood defences of the River Glen are not the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council. Information on Flood Defences should be sought directly from the Environment Agency

2. The original wall in many locations had collapsed or sunken to a point barely above carriageway level and was irretrievable. This was due to ground movement due to slippage, unstable foundations and accident damage. This offered no or very little benefit in terms of flood defence, hence the joint decision between Lincolnshire County Council and the Environment Agency (EA) was to remove what remained for concern over further carriageway damage as the wall was considered redundant. The joint scheme was to install some sheet piling to provide support for a VRS (Vehicle Restraint System) to reduce the risk of an errant vehicle from entering the deep water in an accident. As these works were within 9m of an EA maintained watercourse, the County Council had to apply for Flood Defence Consent, and part of the application process the EA consider factors such as ecology and the potential impact of the works on flood defences or obstructions in the watercourse that could impede flow. This consent was granted by the EA. I have attached a copy of the consent that meant the works as designed were able to commence on site.

3. Nothing further to add from the flood risk team’s original response

4. Lincolnshire County Council Highways do not have plans to carry out a level survey at this location