Fens need 'billions' to stop it being reclaimed by the sea

AREA WAS DRAINED 400 YEARS AGO - BUT NOW FACES ITS MOST SERIOUS THREAT

- BY JAMIE WALLER Local Democracy Reporter

LINCOLNSHIRE could be forced to “surrender the Fens” back to the sea unless billions of pounds are spent on new defences, councillors have been warned. The manmade area is facing its gravest risk since it was drained 400 years ago due to ageing infrastructure and unpredictable weather.

Major efforts to prevent it from being reclaimed will need to be agreed within the next 10 to 15 years, the Environment Agency has said.

The Fens 2100+ project to plan, fund and build the new infrastructure has begun between the agency, Lincolnshire County Council and other partners.