Local MP says more needs to be done to reduce flood risk to Horncastle

Louth and Horncastle MP's is hoping the solution to prevent flooding in the area will come from a closer relationship between farmers and the Environment Agency,

It comes as meetings have been held following the devastating impact of Storm Babet earlier this year which flooded homes and arable land across Lincolnshire and Newark.

Horncastle was particularly badly affected with some homes flooded.

There were questions asked about why the flood defence scheme designed to protect the town didn't work better.

We need to ensure this doesn't happen again

We spoke to the town's MP Victoria Atkins about the issue.

She said: "I brought together a meeting of around a hundred farmers and the Environment Agency quite soon after Storm Babet to see what we could do to ensure this doesn't happen again in the future in terms of the impact on businesses and residents.

"There's a real willingness there ."

"Of course the Environment Agency must continue with their review into what went wrong with the Horncastle alleviation scheme."

Storm Babet had a very very profound affect on Horncastle

"We know that that the one in Louth - thank goodness - worked but the one in Horncastle doesn't seem to have worked as it should have done."

"There's something about the Environment Agency and farmers working together more and I'm hoping that's really going to bear some fruit next year as well."

"I'm very conscious that farmers have a tough tough year so if we can get some closer working that will be a real result."

"Storm Babet had a very very profound affect on the town of Horncastle but also surrounding villages and farms and I went to see some of the damage it did."

"I think there are a few lessons actually."

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