Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the adequacy of maintenance works on Ousemere Lode, Billingborough; and what steps the Environment Agency is taking to reduce flood risk in that area.

The Environment Agency (EA) keeps maintenance arrangements for Ousemere Lode, Billingborough under review as part of its ongoing assessment of flood risk management. Ousemere Lode is regularly inspected and maintained through routine activities, including seasonal grass cutting, weed removal and targeted tree management to maintain channel capacity.

Following flooding in January 2025, the EA published an Evidence Based Review which identified exceptional rainfall falling on frozen ground as the primary cause of flooding. The review noted that improved maintenance of local roadside drainage could have reduced the depth and duration of flooding. These findings are being further examined through technical modelling undertaken by external specialists, with final reports expected in summer 2026. In parallel, the EA is working with the local community, including a newly established flood action group, to identify measures to improve resilience.