Grimsby allotments to be transformed into £2m wetlands

Abandoned parts of the Saltings Allotments site in Grimsby will become wetlands

Abandoned allotments in a town will be transformed into a £2m wetland to try and reduce the risk of flooding for surrounding homes.

Half of the Saltings Allotments in Grimsby has been abandoned since 2001 due to rising groundwater.

Dozens of homes in the area have been affected by flooding.

A North East Lincolnshire Council report said the water level rise was due to changes in water extraction and heavy rainfall overwhelming the sewers.

Groundater at the Anglian Water Chelmsford Avenue waterworks is being pumped into the combined sewer network, the report said.

"The flooded Saltings area also drains into the same place. and the resulting pressure on the network means that sewers have less capacity to cope with heavy rainfall, so increasing the risk of flooding," the report adds.

"Over the years the Grimsby sewerage system has not been expanded sufficiently to keep pace with the development and expansion of the town.

"Coupled with climate change, which is making the rainfall we experience both more intense and more frequent, we are at a higher risk of flooding than ever."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the £2m is from Lincolnshire County Council which is using central government funding.

The wetland, which will take over the abandoned parts of the allotments site, will be open to the public.