Homes in Aslackby, near Bourne, have flooded four times over the past 13 years. Most recently, flooding occurred in 2024 and 2025. The repeated incidents prompted Lincolnshire County Council to approve a £605,554 drainage upgrade.
The scheme covers Temple Road, Aveland Way and Kirkby Underwood Road. It targets an overloaded and deteriorating drainage system that has struggled to cope with surface water runoff, particularly from the nearby A15.
Eight minutes, more gullies
Drainage engineers will repair and replace failing pipe sections. They will also boost the existing network by adding gullies — grated roadside inlets that channel rainwater from the carriageway into underground pipes. Increasing the number of gullies means surface water can leave the road faster, cutting pressure on the drainage system.
The key intervention is to divert water flowing off the A15 away from Aslackby’s village drainage. The council’s own report found ditches alongside the A15 allowed large volumes of runoff to enter the village pipes, which were already at risk of collapse. Separating this runoff reduces load on village pipes and lowers flood risk for local homes.
Fixing fragile pipes, protecting the road
Some pipes in Aslackby are structurally compromised. Part of the network has partially collapsed and other sections are at risk of failure. The council’s principal design engineer warned that without repair, deterioration would continue. Failure could cause local flooding and damage the carriageway, as escaped water loosens the road foundation or creates voids beneath the surface.
Where this fits on UK roads
The project is funded from Lincolnshire’s 2026/27 Highways Asset Protection Drainage Budget. It fits within common UK highway drainage practice, where runoff from main roads like the A15 often requires separate management to protect smaller village systems. This approach helps maintain pipe capacity where it is most needed.
The scheme’s scope is limited to the highway drainage network and runoff from the A15. The flooding has a wider cause. The River Ave is the most likely source of floodwater breaching its banks around Aslackby. This work does not address the river itself.
What changes for Aslackby
Once complete, the drainage repairs and additional gullies will speed surface water removal from roads. Diverting A15 runoff relieves pressure on village pipes, cutting the chance of flooding in heavy rain. Repairing fragile pipes protects the road from subsidence and further damage.
The scheme’s start date, contractor, and impact on traffic have yet to be confirmed. There is no information on lane or road closures during work.
For residents, the scheme’s success will depend on the next heavy rainfall and whether the River Ave rises above its banks again. While it cannot prevent river flooding, it should reduce flooding caused by highway drainage issues.
