£105,000 to tell us how to flee floods

Red emergency evacuation road signs are to go up across South Holland directing residents to higher ground in the event of flooding.

Three routes have been earmarked in the district, part of a £105,000 scheme across Lincolnshire aimed at enabling a co-ordinated evacuation and leaving other routes clear for emergency services.
The three routes in South Holland direct traffic from Spalding along the A16 onto the A1175 to Market Deeping or on the A151 to Bourne, and from Long Sutton/Sutton Bridge via the A17 and the A151.
The red ER logos will begin to appear on road signs at major junctions this week.
The scheme has gone ahead following devastating flooding in parts of Lincolnshire, including Boston, last winter
However, there have been questions raised about the need for the evacuation routes in most parts of South Holland, which has not
seen heavy flooding in 200 years.
But the scheme has been welcomed by emergency planners and services, who have worked with the council to identify the 13 county-wide route evacuation routes.
Neil Rhodes, Lincolnshire Police chief constable, said: “The devastating floods back in 2013 proved that coastal flooding still represents a serious risk to communities in Lincolnshire, and we have to be prepared for the worst case scenario, which would be if people had to leave their homes.
“It is sensible to identify the routes we would want people to follow for their own safety, and so that the police, fire and rescue and the ambulance service can easily reach people who cannot self-evacuate and could be in danger.”
It is believed that in the event of a major flood in the county, around 85 per cent of the population would be in a position to “self evacuate” using the suggested escape routes, although up to ten per cent may refuse to leave their homes and may need rescuing later by emergency services.
About 15 per cent of the population would be unable to leave due to reasons such as infirmity or disability and would require help from the authorities or emergency services.
Coun Richard Davies, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, says: “We absolutely want Lincolnshire to be a safe and prosperous place and the evacuation signs will help us to become even more resilient.
“While the evacuation routes will lead you to safety it is also a good idea to consider where you might go if you had to evacuate your home.”