James Turner

Lincolnshire County Council believes that a “multitude of events” led to the devastating flooding in Horncastle in the aftermath of Storm Babet in October 2023.

Despite a new £8.1 million flood prevention scheme built in 2017, around 80 properties were flooded across the town following the storm last year, prompting an investigation by the Environment Agency (EA). The findings are expected to be released in the next fortnight.

In the aftermath, dozens of families were left reeling, many losing belongings and some rendered homeless, prompting them to seek advice from various agencies at the Horncastle & District Community Centre on Manor House Street.

While there, several residents voiced their frustration over the flood defences’ apparent ineffectiveness, with some labelling them “useless.”

The flooding caused severe damage to the Old Hat music shop on East Street | Image: Supplied

Local farmer John Harrison pointed out a flaw in the system. He explained that his land is designated to store floodwater as part of the flood relief scheme. However, he claimed that a switch was incorrectly positioned for several hours, causing water to flow back into the river instead.

“I was down at midday and I could see immediately the mechanism was holding water back from going down the river, but the return valve was open,” he recalled. “So it was like getting in a bath and you turn the tap on and haven’t put the plug in.”

During a Community Flood Defence Update event at Batemans Brewery in Wainfleet on Friday, organised by Skegness and Boston MP Matt Warman (Conservative), representatives from Lincolnshire County Council outlined some of the investigation’s findings so far.

Matthew Harrison, Flood & Water Manager at LCC | Photo: James Turner

Matthew Harrison, Flood & Water Manager at LCC, clarified that the EA was leading the investigation, but highlighted: “There were a multitude of events that led to flooding in Horncastle, it wasn’t a single event.

“There are various water courses that feed into the town and not all of those are covered by the flood defence scheme that was put in place previously.”

Furthermore, he mentioned that the council is conducting around 230 separate investigations related to 850 properties across the county that experienced internal flooding following Storms Babet and Henk.

“It’s on a scale that we haven’t seen before,” he added.

Morgan Wray, Flood Risk Manager from the Environment Agency, was more reserved about the findings so far, but disclosed that the full report is expected to be released in the next couple of weeks.

He stated: “The investigation is ongoing. We are hoping to come to the community in the next few weeks with the results of that.”

Wray later urged residents across the county to check if they are at risk of flooding, adding: “Once you’ve found out if you are at risk, you can do simple things like create a flood plan or sign up to receive flood warnings. We would really urge people to do that for themselves.”

Councillors have unanimously approved a set of speed limit reductions along the A631 between Market Rasen and Louth, a stretch that has witnessed 260 road casualties, including eight fatalities, since 2010.

During a meeting on Monday morning, members of Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning & Regulation Committee voted to reduce the speed limit on three key sections of the road in a bid to curb the collision rate.

The changes include:

• New 50mph limits on sections between Market Rasen and North Willingham, North Willingham and Ludford, and on both approaches to South Elkington
• A new 40mph limit through the developed area further south to include the junction with the A157
• An extension to the existing 30mph speed limit in line with policy on Willingham Road in Market Rasen

| Photo: LCC

The county council applied for funding for targeted improvements along the A631 between Market Rasen and Louth, following a 2016 Road Safety Foundation analysis that ranked it amongst the country’s 50 highest-risk A-class roads.

The bid aimed to tap into the government’s £175 million Safer Roads Fund, designed to reduce collisions and fatalities at accident hotspots across the nation.

| Photo: LCC

The proposal faced nine objections from local residents, who argued that the national speed limit was suitable for the road’s rural setting. They contended that lowering the speed limit might lead to riskier overtaking manoeuvres, potentially increasing accidents, and that it would “unreasonably” extend journey times.

Others insisted that enforcing the new limit could be problematic and suggested that funds would be more effectively spent on improving key junctions.

| Photo: LCC

However, Councillor Thomas Ashton (Conservative) countered: “We have to start somewhere,” acknowledging that additional measures could be considered in the future if enforcement proves challenging.

Market Rasen Wolds ward Councillor Stephen Bunney (Liberal Democrat) highlighted that although local residents may have become accustomed to the road’s dangers, it often leaves visitors feeling scared.

He remarked: “It is very clear that the people in North Willingham are very concerned about the speed on the route. A slower speed will hopefully prevent further accidents.”

Cllr Bunney also added that the De Aston School is regularly impacted by the traffic issues, being along Willingham Road, and the alterations will hopefully make it safer for students.

Meanwhile, Councillor Ian Carrington (Conservative) characterised the road as having “an absolutely fierce reputation.”