Lincoln flood defences improved

Work has been carried out to the Branston Island flood reservoir which will reduce the flood risk for more than 7,000 properties in Lincoln.

The £300,000 refurbishment was carried out by the Environment Agency over 11 weeks, with works consisting of the repair to the banks and bank tops, plus concrete and mechanical repairs to sluices that control the flow in and out of the reservoir.

Branston Island flood reservoir is located seven miles southeast of Lincoln and stores excess water from the River Witham. Together with the River Till and River Witham reservoirs, it helps reduce flood risk to the city of Lincoln and nearby villages. Combined, the three reservoirs can hold over 11 million cubic metres of water – the same as 440 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The reservoir was built in the 1960s, and is part of a system of sluices and engineered channels managed by the Environment Agency which includes Sincil Dyke, Boultham catchwater and the Great Gowts Drain to better protect 7,200 properties.

The reservoir was last used to store water from the Witham during a period of wet weather in winter 2012.

Paul Dutchburn, Asset Performance team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “We carry out regular checks, tests and repairs that ensure our defences can continue to reduce flood risk to homes and businesses – and that includes carrying out maintenance like this on our reservoirs.

“Across the country, we’re investing over £200M this year to maintain our flood defences so they continue to help protect our communities.”

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