Two flood alleviation schemes worth £14.6 million have been officially opened in Louth and Horncastle.

The £6.5m Louth scheme and the £8.1m Horncastle scheme will collectively reduce flood risk to over 350 properties.

The Horncastle Flood Alleviation Scheme consists of a single flood storage reservoir on the River Bain, upstream of the town of Horncastle. As part of this scheme, a number of residents whose homes are at risk of flooding from the River Waring were offered property-level flood protection, such as air brick covers and flood doors.

The Louth Flood Alleviation Scheme consists of a flood storage reservoir on the Northern branch of the River Lud, and one on the Southern branch of the river.

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The projects were delivered in a partnership of the Environment Agency and VBA, a joint venture comprising VolkerStevin, Boskalis Westminster and Atkins, alongside other local councils, water drainage boards.

In addition to VBA reducing flood risk to hundreds of properties in Louth and Horncastle, the two schemes also deliver benefits to the environment. In Horncastle, a large lake and wetland area has been created which will provide a habitat for water voles. At the reservoirs in Louth, additional water vole habitat will also be created.

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, said: "I am delighted that our partnership work with the community and local authorities in Louth and Horncastle will reduce flood risk to over 350 properties and support wildlife."

Nick Culshaw, framework director for VBA, said: "We were fortunate to have Emma Howard-Boyd visit us to formally open the Louth and Horncastle FRMS projects. With the project recently completed, it is another great achievement for the VBA team and will greatly contribute to the safety of communities and local wildlife against flood risk."

(LM)