Concerns raised to MP over whether Boston Barrier is enough to prevent flooding in changing climes

The £100 million flood defence became fully operational in in 2020 and was hailed “one of the best standards of tidal flood defence in the UK outside London” by the Institute of Civil Engineering..

It was built by the Environment Agency (EA) using a Flood Defence Grant in Aid to better protect over 14,000 properties.

However, a group of concerned residents with a “depth of knowledge” of the rivers in the Boston area have remained so concerned about the threat of flooding they invited MP for Boston and Skegness Richard Tice on a boat trip to see for himself.

The trip on the Boston Bell raised questions as to whether the barrier “is enough to stop flooding” - and comes in Flood Action Week.

“I was invited by the management of the Boston Bell to take the trip,” explained Mr Tice. “When you have a group of people with that depth of knowledge telling you the Boston Barrier isn’t enough to protect homes and businesses you feel compelled to put these concerns to the Environment Agency.

"I was shown the original plans which had a lock at the side and this was not built – also there are concerns that the barrier is not wide enough.

"I will be writing to the EA urging them to check their numbers because if flooding happened in the future serious questions would be asked.

"It’s not too late to act now to avoid further flooding.

”I will be speaking to the EA about the whole of the constituency because we have already seen flooding in Steeping and it is only October.

"If we have a wet winter there will be more to come.”

Boston’s flooding threat is primarily due to rising sea levels and the EA has told Lincolnshire World that by 2100, sea levels are expected to rise by over one metre. “This could devastate thousands of homes and businesses already at risk, so an enhanced long-term solution is required,” the EA said.

Data released in 2022 by the EA, two years after the barrier became operational, stated Boston borough still had the highest percentage of properties at risk of flooding in England, with 519 people in Boston are deemed at ‘high risk’ of flooding.

The barrier was closed in April this year amid concerns for potential flooding in the area due to The Environment Agency is warning of a “large tidal surge” .

Boston Borough Council said it had been alerted to the preventative action by the Environment Agency (EA).

The EA told Lincolnshre World the Boston Barrier has been used six times against a high tide since it became operational in December 2020.

There are still some works to be completed at the Port of Boston’s Wet Dock Entrance, the EA said. “The works here are vital to keep up with future climate change predictions, but it is important to note that the tidal flood risk here is currently no different than it is for the rest of the town.” The Boston Barrier team is currently seeking approvals, assurance, and consents ahead of Wet Dock Entrance works starting, and the current completion date for the scheme is in the 2027/2028 financial year, depending on reinstatement requirements.

A spokesperson for the EA said: “The Boston Barrier can be operated against a high tide to protect homes and businesses in Boston from tidal flooding. Environment Agency modelling has shown that there isn’t an impact on river levels when the barrier is operational.”