£4m of sustainable drainage improvements secured for the area

North East Lincolnshire has secured £4m to make sustainable drainage improvements to the borough.

The Environment Agency has announced the grant allocation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.

The funds will be used to introduce sustainable drainage systems to the existing highway network over the next four to six years. The innovative plans are one of only 25 bids to be successful and will directly address significant surface water flood risks in the area.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “I am delighted with the news that we have been successful with the biggest grant capital funding bid for drainage improvements by the council in its history.

“Residents will see significant flood mitigation works over the coming years with this funding and this will reduce the flood risk to hundreds of properties in Grimsby and Immingham. It is a long-term scheme, and with the funding now secured, drainage engineers at ENGIE will be working with stakeholders and partners to develop the proposals.

“As the scheme progresses and we move forward, we will be engaging with local residents and stakeholders.”   

The sustainable drainage measures will be built into the existing highway and will deliver natural methods of drainage.

The innovative methods will significantly reduce the amount of water entering the current drainage systems, so drainage systems currently struggling with capacity can be better managed during periods of heavy rainfall and saturated ground conditions.

Suggested improvements that are likely to be included are:

• Conversion of roadside verges to rain gardens for the temporary storage of surface water.
• Use of larger grassed or hard paved areas for the temporary storage of surface water.
• Use of permeable paving areas for the temporary storage of flood water.
• Use of water butts issued to residents.

Drainage engineers are already progressing a number of possible schemes which will be supported by the funding. As proposals are developed, further updates will be shared and engagement will take place with key stakeholders, residents and businesses.  

The funding awarded to North East Lincolnshire Council forms part of a wider bid with Doncaster Council and a number of other partners, including internal drainage boards and water companies. Doncaster Council has secured £2m as part of the bid for their area, with a combined funding pot of over £6m for both areas.