Ground investigation works to take place in Boston
24 June 2010
The Environment Agency is to carry out works in Boston in connection with a major flood prevention scheme proposed for the town.
Contractors will be working at various sites around the town and port to carry out ground investigations relating to the planned Boston Barrier and Haven flood defence improvements.
The investigations will include drilling boreholes both on land and within the Haven. They are necessary to determine the make-up of the ground prior to design options being drawn up.
Mike Dugher, Area Coastal Manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The works are a vital step towards the proposed Boston Barrier and Haven flood protection improvement schemes.
"We know from history that coastal flooding is a very real danger and climate change may increase that threat. However, the coast is better protected now than at any time in the past and, although we can never stop all flooding happening, the Environment Agency will do all it can to prevent flooding. That is where the barrier scheme and Haven works come in.
"These initial ground investigation works are necessary to ensure the final design of the scheme is as effective in helping to prevent flooding and improving the river for navigation as it can be. We realise they may cause some disruption to people living and working in the town and using the river, but they will help to safeguard the future prosperity of the area."
Investigation works will take place at the following locations:
For the barrier scheme: Port of Boston, downstream of Black Sluice Lock and Wyberton Low Road; Port of Boston, upstream of the lock entrance.
For the Haven flood protection works: Custom House Quay, Haven Hall and Riverside Lodge, South Street/near to Haven Bridge; Doughty Quay Wharf car park, High Street, and South Quay car park, South End; The Old Bath House, South Terrace; St Ann's Wharf, rear of Oxford Street; London Road, near Black Sluice Pumping Station and near to Grand Sluice, Haven Bank, Witham Place and Wormgate.
The works are due to start at the end of June at London Road, near to Black Sluice Pumping Station, and are expected to take between six and eight weeks to complete. They are being carried out on behalf of the Environment Agency by Vinci Construction UK Ltd.
Mike said: "The Environment Agency would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may cause to people in Boston and using its waterways but we hope they understand the importance of them. We will be on site at any given location for only a short time and will let people who may be affected by the drilling operations know in advance of them starting."
The works will require the partial temporary closure of public space at Custom House Quay. Parking spaces will also be reduced during the works at Custom House Quay, Doughty Quay Wharf and South Quay.
Talks were held between the Environment Agency and Boston Borough Council prior to the works and a bat survey will be conducted along the banks of the Haven near to Grand Sluice.