Anglian Water said it is ‘actively investigating potential long-term solutions to prevent future issues in this area’
Ivan Morris Poxton Local Democracy Reporter
05:00, 17 Dec 2025
The burst water main in Freeman Street, Grimsby, last autumn – there have been other water leak issues on the street in the year since(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)
Water leak issues in Grimsby are to be more closely looked at by North East Lincolnshire Council. Anglian Water is responsible for the borough’s water network.
Over the past year, there have been notable burst water mains issues causing floods at Freeman Street and Grimsby Cricket Club in particular. Melanie Onn MP (Labour – Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) wrote last week to a Government minister on this.
The council is to also extra scrutinise the state of the underground water network and stopping disruptive leaks. This follows a motion by East Marsh Ward councillors (all Liberal Democrat), at the latest full council.
An Anglian Water spokesperson has said it is aware of recent burst water mains issues in Grimsby. “Although customers’ water supply was not affected by these leaks, we know it’s inconvenient to face repeated disruption, especially on a major road such Freeman Street and for local amenities such as the cricket club.”
The East Marsh Ward councillors wrote to Anglian Water’s chief executive after October’s major Freeman Street leak, the third significant one in 12 months. Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (Lib Dem – East Marsh) advised Grimsby Live that while she was speaking at full council, she was contacted by a resident about another leak in Freeman Street, in the same place as the previous one.
The recent latest water leak in Freeman Street, Grimsby, reported to a ward councillor(Image: User submitted)
Their proposal for closer council scrutiny of water issues included:
- A council report within six months to a scrutiny panel on data on leaks locally, their estimated economic impact, and trends in the council issuing enforcement notices to Anglian Water to make repairs.
- An invitation to Anglian Water to attend the scrutiny panel, or to provide a written briefing.
- The council leader writes to Anglian Water’s chief executive, requesting a borough-wide action plan, and to Government and the regulator Ofwat to urge stronger duties on water companies over tackling leaks.
Lib Dem group leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe (East Marsh) told full council they proposed it because “too many of our residents are living with the same disruption again and again, burst pipes, leaks, water appearing in places it simply shouldn’t”. Freedom of Information (FOI)-requested data by the Lib Dems showed the council has issued 340 S81 enforcement notices to Anglian Water to make urgent repairs in the last three years.
East Marsh, Croft Baker and Freshney wards are among the most impacted areas, with 42 issued in East Marsh alone. “I think we would all be somewhat frustrated by some of the actions of Anglian Water,” said council leader Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative – Waltham Ward).
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Several councillors said they agreed with the proposal’s sentiment, but had issues. Cllr Ian Lindley (Conservative – Scartho) felt it “a bit too meaty” and “a scattergun approach”. Cllr Kevin Shutt (Labour – Heneage) questioned for all the effort required, “What will it actually achieve?” Ultimately, the motion was unanimously passed.
An Anglian Water spokesperson said its local team “carries out regular holistic evaluations” of its network’s performance. These show “the network is currently managing demand effectively”.
But it is “actively investigating potential long-term solutions to prevent future issues in this area given the recent bursts. We’re keeping local stakeholders informed throughout this process.”
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