Work to overhaul Keadby Pumping Station near Scunthorpe has taken a significant step forwards thanks to the arrival on site of the first two of six new pumps weighing 10 tonnes each.

It is part of a £35 million investment to upgrade the 80-year-old pumping station which will bring both flood-risk and environmental benefits to the Isle of Axholme area which takes in some 500km of North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.

The two pumps were built and tested in Holland before being shipped to England. Together, they have the combined power to fill an Olympic swimming pool in about 5min.

They have now arrived at Keadby as work on the project continues with contractors and staff from the Environment Agency following recent Public Health England safe-working advice.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The first two pumps will be installed over the next two months; the remaining four pumps will be delivered and installed before the end of the year.

“After the pumps are installed we will be able to finish refurbishing the pumping station and re-constructing the outfall to the River Trent.

“Throughout the work we will continue to operate the pumping station to manage flood risk and water levels. The work is on schedule and the new pumps will be operational in early 2021, with the rest of the refurbishment complete by the end of 2021.

“This project is part of the Environment Agency’s £140 million asset repair programme for 2020. Work on the projects continue where it is safe for our teams and delivery partners to do so.

“We are following the latest guidance from Public Health England to ensure the safety of our staff, partners and the communities we work in.”