Around 50,000 tonnes of silt are being removed from a Lincolnshire river to reduce the risk of flooding to homes in the area.

The Environment Agency began work to remove the build-up from the Steeping River in mid-January. Between 600mm-900mm of silt will be taken from a 2.8 km stretch of river between Crow’s Bridge and Clough Bridge, near Wainfleet All Saints.

Brian Ramsden, of the Environment Agency’s Asset System Management Team, said:

“The works are part of a programme of improvements that will increase the standard of protection to nearby properties and agricultural land.

“Removing silt that has built up in the river will increase the volume of water the channel is able to carry, reducing the risk of flooding during periods of high flows.”

The Steeping River has raised flood banks at the location of the works. Material removed from the river will be placed at the bottom of the landward side of the defences.

The de-silting works are costing £260,000 and are expected to be completed by the end of March. They form part of a £435,000 project which has already seen works to return the banks to their original profile and the installation of geo-textile mesh within the crest completed.

In addition to the bank profiling and de-silting works, the Environment Agency will also be coppicing trees and shrubs between Crow’s Bridge and the rear of Bateman’s Brewery. The work is expected to begin in March.

Brian Ramsden continued:

“Managing vegetation by the river will remove potential obstructions to water flow which could cause backing up and over-topping as well as improving access to this section of the river for anglers.”