An innovative new project aimed at better understanding flood risk – led by Lincolnshire County Council – has been awarded £7.18m of Government funding over the next four years.
The new project was one of 25 successful schemes awarded funding by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, announced in 2020.
Groundwater is the least understood flooding mechanism across greater Lincolnshire, and the project will create a better understanding of groundwater and how it can be managed, both in terms of flood risk and as a resource.
Working with three trial communities – Barton-upon-Humber and Barrow-upon-Humber, Grimsby, and Scopwick – 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, explains:
“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”.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, says:
“We are delighted to be part of the Greater Lincolnshire Groundwater Project which will help us to understand and manage groundwater flood risk, especially in an area like Grimsby where many homes are at a significant risk of flooding.
"We look forward to working with the many partners on this project to tackle groundwater flooding together.”
Morgan Wray, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency says:
“We are delighted to be supporting this project. 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 we are 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 within Barton-upon-Humber and Barrow-upon-Humber, Grimsby, and Scopwick.
If you have a borehole within your property or land and would be willing to work with us, please get in contact with us at Innovative.Resilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
This project is funded by Defra as part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.