Grimsby businesses want action to stop flooding

Scartho hairdresser Tanya Bennett's salon was flooded on Sunday

Businesses in Grimsby have called for improvements to the town's drains to prevent a repeat of flooding.

Storms on 26 May flooded some properties in Scartho in Grimsby.

One business owner said flood water came up through the toilet because the drains were "blocked and not maintained".

North East Lincolnshire Council said it maintains the drains but the rainfall was so severe it temporarily overloaded the drainage system.

'Absolutely filthy'

Louth Road which is a busy route through Scartho was flooded after the downpour.

Some of the businesses along the road had problems because water came up through the drains and into their properties.

Tanya Bennett has run Creations salon on Pinfold Lane for 21 years. She is open as normal but her property was flooded.

She told BBC Radio Humberside she wanted something done about the state of the drains.

"It was such a mess but it's just flooded everywhere and it was absolutely filthy. It's because the drains are blocked.

"They're not having the maintenance anymore. One of the drains, you can't see it's a drain because it's that covered. I will be getting on to the council to see if they'll be doing anything in the future."

James Elliot, who is known for cleaning the River Freshney in his Canoe, paddled along the streets of Scartho.

James Elliot canoeing down a road in Scartho in Grimsby

North East Lincolnshire council said it was aware of flooding following the intense rainfall on 26 May.

A spokesperson said: "Teams are well trained to maintain gullies and drains to ensure we do all we can to prepare for such events.

"The gullies team work all year round to make sure of this and there were no issues prior to the rainfall.

"The amount and intensity of rainfall was so severe it temporarily overloaded the drainage system, which would have been the case for any town like Grimsby had they experienced a similar weather front.

“However, following the storm front, water was drained sufficiently from the highways.

"We sympathise with those affected and ask that anyone who has an issue with a blocked gully or drain contacts the Council."

Follow BBC Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]