A joint venture between VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins has secured a £13 million deal to build new flood defences in Scunthorpe.

VBA will start work on the scheme for North Lincolnshire Council in December.

Features include reinforcing the existing earth embankment and the installation of 3.5km of sheet piles along the east bank of the River Trent from the M180 to Keadby Bridge.

The works are necessary to reduce flood risk to the wider Lincolnshire Lakes development scheme, local businesses and communities, as well as to improve existing barriers to defend homes in the Isle of Axholme areas.

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Overall, the new flood defence infrastructure will improve the existing defences surrounding Burringham and Gunness.

The scheme forms part of the council's wider £1.2 billion plan to build six new villages to the East of the River Trent.

Nick Culshaw, Framework Director for VBA, said: "We are proud to have secured another RMA scheme to follow successful projects delivered to other local authorities in Northumberland, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. We are looking forward to working closely with North Lincolnshire Council to deliver this important scheme for the region."

The project is scheduled for completion by March 2019.

(LM/JP)