Environment Agency Unlikely to Revisit Model Behind Boston Pumping Station Closure
The Environment Agency faces pressure to reconsider its model after recent floods in Boston, but it remains firm on its decision.
Boston, Lincolnshire, Flooding, Environment Agency, Black Sluice Pumping Station
Boston: So, the Environment Agency has decided it’s not going to take another look at the computer model that led to the closure of the Black Sluice Pumping Station. This comes after some serious flooding hit the area recently.
Last week, homes and fields around Billingborough, Pointon, and Boston were underwater due to heavy rain. People are understandably upset and want the pumping station back in action.
This pumping station, built in the 1940s, has a sluice gate that helps manage water levels. But it was shut down a few years ago, and now folks are feeling the impact.
The South Forty Foot Drain hit record levels, causing major flooding. But the Environment Agency insists it won’t revisit the computer model that predicted these events.
Local farmers and the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board believe the flooding could have been avoided if the pumps were still operational. They’ve been pushing the EA to reconsider its earlier modeling from 2015.
Unfortunately, it seems their pleas are falling on deaf ears. An EA spokesperson mentioned that the modeling showed a high flood risk regardless of whether the pumps were running.
They also pointed out that computer modeling is a costly and lengthy process. While they’re confident in their current model, they’re not planning to revisit it anytime soon.
However, they did say that models can be updated if there are significant changes in the area. They’re currently working with Anglian Water on river modeling for a proposed reservoir, but that won’t be ready until 2039 at the earliest.
In the meantime, the EA explained that the recent flooding was due to a mix of heavy rain, snowmelt, and frozen ground. This combination led to record river levels.
Communities like Billingborough faced severe flooding as rain fell on already frozen ground, causing runoff with nowhere to go. The EA noted that flooding came from various sources, including high river flows and overland flows.
As the water levels rose, the drainage system filled up, leading to the chaos we saw. The EA also mentioned that the Black Sluice Pumping Station is quite a distance from the worst-hit areas.
They’ve been working hard to improve flood defenses, investing over £1 billion this year alone. But with climate change, they admit it’s tough to prevent every incident.
They’re focused on helping communities prepare for flooding and have been involved in various recovery projects since last winter. It’s a tough situation, and many are left wondering what the future holds.
What do you think about the EA’s response? Feel free to share your thoughts!