Giles McNeill Calls For 100 Hi-Tech Sandbags For Nettleham

Parish Councillor Giles McNeill led calls at yesterday's Nettleham Parish Council meeting to acquire a stock of special sand bags, known as Aqua-sacs,

So far eleven town and parish councils in West Lindsey have secured grants from West Lindsey District Council to support their communities and prevent flooding. Chris Allen, Public Protection Services Manager at the council recently said:

"We are delighted that we have been able to give grants to so many parish councils.

"The grants are being used for a variety of reasons including: clearing a beck of blockages, extending a culvert to stop flooding and developing flood risk management strategies."

The district council has £10,000 to allocate to town and parish councils, who are best placed to know and understand flooding issues within their areas. Mr Allen added:

"We still have a significant amount of money available which will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

"I would urge councils to apply for a share of the cash as soon as possible to make sure they do not miss out on this opportunity."



Cllr. Giles McNeill observes rising
water levels on Nettleham Beck

The Aqua-Sac is a revolutionary alternate to traditional sandbags for flood defence. Comprising a heavy duty Jute sack and a cotton liner with a patented centre stitch, containing a Super-Absorbent Polymer the Aqua-Sac is simply submerged in water. After five minutes thirteen litres of water will have been absorbed creating an inflated 'sandbag'. Fifty aqua-sac sandbags is sufficient to protect four doors from 18" of flood water.

Nettleham Parish Council has agreed to fund the purchase of 50 aqua-sacs and apply for funding for a further 50 from the district council. The aqua-sacs will be stored in the Old School in the centre of the village. Cllr. McNeill said:

"I think these will be very useful, easily stored when compared to traditional sandbags, with the ability to dry them out and reuse them make them a sound investment."