Flood-risk Fiskerton residents face uncertain few weeks

The damaged river bank in Fiskerton

People in a Lincolnshire village have been warned they may have to live with the threat of flooding for some time.

About 80 homes in Fiskerton were at risk of flooding after damage was found along a 30m (98.4ft) section of the River Witham.

Lincolnshire Resilience Forum said despite the damage - caused by Storm Babet - the river bank was still holding the water.

Officials said it was likely to take some weeks to "fully repair".

Supt Phil Vickers, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "In fairness, the access [to the damaged river bank in Fiskerton] is very difficult.

"The fields are water-logged at the moment and getting the heavy equipment in there is not going to be straightforward.

"I think, to be realistic, it's going to take weeks, and potentially months, for the damage to be repaired properly.

"It remains a risk," he added.

"The engineers have been out there and said there is no immediate risk but if there is a change in the weather or the water levels, or any number of different factors, then potentially that's the case."

Homes in Fiskerton, east of Lincoln, were at risk, the Environment Agency said

More than 150 properties flooded in Lincolnshire as more than a month's rain fell in 24 hours.

Flooding occurred at locations across the county, including Lincoln, Horncastle, Tattershall, Woodhall Spa, Wainfleet and Kirkby on Bain.

On Saturday, Fiskerton residents who had been advised to leave their homes were told it was safe to return.

Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, which coordinates the efforts of different agencies, said people's safety remained a priority and confirmed measures were in place in case circumstances changed.

"While the riverbank will take some weeks to fully repair, a 24-hour surveillance system operated by the Environment Agency means we can take quick action to ensure those potentially affected can move out quickly," a spokesperson said.

Sue and Norman Hodson said residents still had concerns

Local residents Sue and Norman Hodson told BBC Look North the past few days had been "a bit stressful".

Mr Hodson said: "Obviously, until the bank is repaired you don't know whether it's going to go or not.

"You can only do what you can do to try and stop it coming and if it comes all you can do is get out," he added.

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