One in four homes at risk of flooding

THE Environment Agency has revealed one in four North Lincolnshire properties are at risk of flooding.

More than a quarter of the near 104,000 domestic and business properties in North Lincolnshire, including Barton-Upon-Humber, the Isle of Axholme and Brigg, are located in flood risk areas, according to the latest figures from the Environment Agency.

News a total of 22,302 properties are now at risk comes as the Agency is pressing the Government for billions of pounds to be spent on building and maintaining flood defence.

A new report indicates North Lincolnshire is well above the average figure for the whole of England where one in six homes are said to be risk of flooding.

North Lincolnshire Council officials insist they have the situation in hand.

Deputy council leader Coun Len Foster said: "The authority has mapped out all critical areas of flooding to identify those areas at risk and the action that needs taking to reduce the risk of flooding in them.

"We are continuing to work to help identify future flooding problems.

"The North Lincolnshire Flood Forum, which has been show-cased at national level for its work, continues to meet.

"The forum brings together all the key agencies including the council, the Environment Agency, fire and rescue service, Anglian Water, Severn Trent, the internal drainage boards and the Government office for Yorkshire and Humberside.

"Working together, members of the flood forum have already addressed many of the key recommendation made in a government report.

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.