Rain garden installation works have begun on Washdyke Lane and Woodlands Avenue, Immingham

Works have begun on Washdyke Lane and Woodlands Avenue in Immingham, and it is anticipated that they will take approximately 6 months and be completed in early Spring 2026. This programme has been funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency.

The works involve replacing the existing grass verges with rain gardens. A rain garden is a sustainable drainage (or SuDS) feature, which will allow us to drain the surface water from the road into a flower bed. Underneath each flower bed will be a storage tank to store the water and slowly drain it back into the sewer network. By slowing down the flow of water into the sewers, it will reduce the flow volumes in the sewerage system during heavy rainfall. This extra capacity within the drainage network will help to reduce flood risk in the area.

The works are being completed under localised traffic management, including three-way traffic lights when working near junctions. It is not anticipated there will be any need to close the road as part of the works, so no diversions are necessary. Works will be carried out during the day, Monday to Friday, with no overnight or weekend works planned.

The construction of small sections of rain gardens will be taking place at any one time, rather than the whole length of road being impacted for the duration of the works. This approach should minimise any disruption caused.

Andy Smith, Drainage and Coastal Defence Team Manager at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Managing rainwater run-off with rain gardens is a low maintenance and wildlife-friendly sustainable approach. The rain gardens will allow us to manage rainwater run-off from the highway in a more natural way, reducing flood risk.”

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, said: “Following the successful installation of rain gardens on Broadway in Grimsby, providing improved resilience of local roads and properties to flooding; it’s great to see another project come to life through the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.”