Works began last month to improve the banks of the Boston Haven, which will reduce flood risk to more than 900 properties. The essential work is part of the Boston Combined Strategy which also includes the Boston Barrier project. Once both projects are complete, more than 17,000 properties will be better protected from tidal flooding.
The Boston Haven Banks Improvement Scheme is a key project for the Environment Agency and essential to reduce to the risk of flooding in Boston, therefore work is continuing in line with government guidance to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This means all necessary precautions are in place, including social distancing, to protect workers and the community.
The project, which includes raising the banks to 6.5m AOD, started on the 20th of April and is expected to be completed by the end of Autumn 2020. Work on the northern flood bank stretches approximately 4.2km from Maud Foster Sluice to the Hobhole Drain. On the southern side works will encompass approximately 6.2km of embankment from the Boston Barrier site to Wyberton Marsh.
The Havenside Country Park on the northern flood bank will remain open until works start there, which is currently programmed to be at the end of July 2020. For safety reasons and to allow the work to be carried out, some footpaths have been closed. Closed footpaths have been signed and diversions are in place. Once the work is complete, the footpaths will need to remain closed for a further period of time to allow grass to re-establish, which helps protect the banks and prevent erosion.
The Environment Agency will aim to keep disruption to a minimum and thanks the community for their patience during this time.
You can sign up to the free flood warning service by calling 0345 988 1188 or visiting www.gov.uk/flood.
If you have further enquiries, please contact the Environment Agency press office on 0800 917 9265.