Birds delay riverbank repairs after flooding

Nesting birds are delaying repairs to a riverbank after flooding in Lincolnshire.

A swathe of land was flooded in the Cowbit area, between Crowland and Spalding, when the River Welland breached the bank in January this year.

The issue led Spalding Water Taxi to announce the cancellation of its summer service, due to low water levels.

The Environment Agency said several species of nesting birds were protected by law and it was considering ways to raise water levels.

A spokesperson said the agency was "unable to restart pumping operations" because of the birds, but was "working closely with an ornithologist".

It was reviewing actions to raise water levels "without causing further damage to the breach location", but a date for repair work could not be confirmed.

Levels had been raised by 500mm (20in) to date, the spokesperson added.

"Safety concerns" meant the agency was unable to disclose further information about the birds. Species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act include barn owls, kingfishers and peregrine falcons.

Spalding Water Taxi is run by joint partners Broadgate Homes and South Holland District Council. The service links the market town and Springfields shopping centre.

A statement on the Spalding Water Taxi website described the decision to cancel the summer service as a "huge disappointment".

"Safety of our passengers and crew is paramount," the statement added. "With no set date for completion of the engineering works to the riverbank, we have had to make this difficult decision."

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