Steeping River Community Update - December 2020
The first phase of dredging, managed on the ground by Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board (LMDB), will come to an end in the middle of January. Details of progress and other action taking place to reduce flood risk can be found in this community update. If you have any questions please contact LMDB, or the Environment Agency (EA), using the details at the end.
Dredging nears completion More than 29,500 cubic metres of silt have been removed so far from the Steeping River and Wainfleet Relief Channel (WRC). Dredging in Wainfleet paused in mid November, just before it reached Salem Bridge, while the pipeline was swapped to the second lagoon – Lagoon A. The boat then continued dredging as planned.
The dredged silt that was pumped into the first lagoon – Lagoon B – is now draining. The monitoring and water quality is good. The water will run into nearby drains and the silt will eventually be spread onto the land.
Spare sections of the pipeline can be seen on top of the water. These are added or removed as needed, up to a maximum length of 3km to the pipeline that can’t be seen underwater - where the dredging activity happens. Silt is then pumped directly into a lagoon. This pipeline is closely monitored and fully watertight.
Steeping River Community Update
December 2020
The dredger will now also remove silt from this additional section of the Steeping River shown in purple – see above. This is because there is more silt in the channel than expected. While the dredger is here, it makes sense to make the most of the opportunity to remove this silt by dredging from Merrifields Farm around Lagoon A – see photo below – to the first railway crossing on the WRC, if there is space in the lagoon for the extra silt. The dredger will then return to Holland slightly later than originally planned in mid January. A third lagoon will be start being constructed in April/May 2021, ahead of dredging next autumn.
Partners concluded in the Catchment Action Plan (CAP) that targeted dredging to remove silt forms part of the answer to help reduce flood risk.
The CAP can be seen online here www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/flood2019 Please get in touch using the contact details at the end if you would like a hard copy posting to you.
© Ordnance Survey
Lagoon B
Lagoon A
Phase 1
Additional activity to reduce flood risk
Increasing bank stability: Tree roots have been removed, along with vermin, downstream of Croft Lane on the right hand bank of the WRC. Mesh barriers have also been installed to help prevent future burrowing.
Reducing bank erosion: ‘Toe protection’ work – to help protect the bottom of the embankment near the waterline from erosion – is still on track to start in January on the left hand bank of the WRC between Thorpe Culvert Railway and Spilsby Road and the left hand bank of the
Steeping River between Crow’s Bridge and Salem Bridge. Reeds have been left on the opposite bank to comply with the law to allow protected species to move across the river.
Raising low spots:
Planned repairs on both banks of Lady Wath’s Beck, between the old railway bridge and the outfall, to fix a small slippage and raise the defences have now been completed – see photo above.
Reprofiling and levelling the left and right hand bank top, between Great Steeping road bridge and the old railway bridge, will take place in early spring.
Plans to bring forward work needed on Lady Wath’s Beck upstream of B1195 continue to be explored.
In addition, the CAP included an action to investigate reducing the pumping from Thorpe Culvert pumping station during times of increased flow. This will look at the options for storing water in the lowland system and also for emergency discharges into the Bell Water Drain in the Witham Fourth district. Discharge to the Bell Water Drain could be done using the existing culverts (tunnels) under the Steeping River. Their condition will be checked and they will be refurbished if needed.
Modelling work is currently ongoing to ensure that this would not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. This option would only be used in emergency situations with the agreement of the Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board. It would not be a normal day to day operating procedure.
Rubbish dumped in the Steeping River
Dredging progress has been delayed slightly going through the town due to the amount of rubbish that has been dumped in the Steeping River. This includes road signs, bricks and even fly tipped tyres at Bycroft’s Bridge.
Illegally depositing waste in the river could cause environmental damage, increase flood risk and lead to pollution too.
The waste all had to be removed and taken to a licenced waste disposal operator – increasing costs. Anyone depositing waste into a watercourse/river will be held liable for the removal and correct disposal and costs involved, as well as prosecution.
People are responsible for disposing of their rubbish correctly. If they don’t, they could face a fine of up to £5,000. Do keep an eye out and report fly-tipping to East Lindsey District Council by calling 01507 601111, emailing flytipping@e-lindsey.gov.uk - or use the online form here www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/flytipping You can also report any suspicious activity to the EA’s incident hotline number 0800 80 70 60 that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact us
Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board: 01507 328095 enquiries@lmdb.co.uk @wmcidb Environment Agency: 03708 506 506 LNenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk To report an incident please call (24-hour service) 0800 80 70 60 Floodline: 0345 988 1188 @EnvAgencyMids