Thousands being invested in Keadby sewerage system

Flooded land between Althorpe and Keadby.

Severn Trent Water will begin work to install new sewers on George Street and Cheswick Avenue in the village from January 5.

The company’s programme engineer Andrew Morley said: “We’ll start laying new, larger sewers on George Street and Cheswick Avenue in Keadby on Monday January 5.

“While the new sewers won’t stop rivers flooding, they will help the sewers to handle more water during rainstorms.

“We’re investing a whopping £220,000 in this work to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding in the area.

“We’re working closely with North Lincolnshire County Council so we can plan any work in the road.

“We’re pleased to say that we won’t need to close any roads while we work.

“We’ll be using traffic lights on Cheswick Avenue and a ‘give and take system’ on George Street to help with traffic flow. We expect the new sewers will be serving homes in the area before March 2015.

“We’d like to thank the local community in advance for its patience, we won’t be working for long but the new sewers will bring benefits for years to come.”

A North Lincolnshire Council spokesman said: “This is great news and will greatly improve the drainage in Keadby and help prevent any future flooding.”

Isle MP Andrew Percy said: “Residents have in the past reported a number of issues with the drainage and sewer network in Keadby, so this work is welcome.

“It is a considerable investment and we hope that these works will help alleviate some of the problems reported to us.”

Keadby suffered from serious flooding from the River Trent in December 2013 which led to a cross-party campaign for better flood defences for the region.

MPs put aside their political differences to pursue a common goal for the long term safety and security of people living in fear of floods across the Isle and the Humber.

They, along with local councillors and community leaders, agreed that long term commitment for better, lasting protection was a must.

A debate focusing on the needs of this area took place at Westminster and Isle MP Andrew Percy met face to face with prime minister David Cameron to stress the need for more cash and more commitment in his constituency.

His bid for more help came as the actual figure for addressing the region’s need for flood protection was estimated at almost £900 million over the next decade.

A multi-agency meeting also took place to update on the situation in its entirety across the region, including input from the Environment Agency, drainage boards, North Lincolnshire Council and local councillors.

Funding was confirmed for Reedness, Burringham and Gunness, said Mr Percy, but the definitive needs for full protection of the Isle were still to be identified.