The North Lincolnshire Food Partnership is calling on North East Lincolnshire Council to work with allotment holders to find a practical and fair solution to water access at Carr Lane Allotments.
People need reliable access to water to grow food. At present, that is not working for plot holders.

What’s Changed
The old pipe system has been removed due to leaks and cost, and replaced with a small number of standpipes.
We recognise the challenges with ageing infrastructure and ongoing repairs.
However, the current solution is creating new practical problems that need to be addressed, and we are aware of several examples where this is causing distress and hardship for plot holders.

Plot holders are walking long distances for water - in some cases having to carry water for up to half a mile!
This is difficult and, in some cases, not manageable
Reliable watering is essential, especially in dry weather

Why the Current Approach Isn’t Enough
Water butts have been provided, but these are small and rely on rainfall.
On their own, they are no way near enough:

Many plots do not have roofs, gutters, or downpipes
Water Butts do not last long in dry periods
Carrying water long distances is not practical

Rainwater harvesting can help — but only with proper infrastructure.

What Needs to Happen
✅ Improve access to water

Add more standpipes where they are most needed
Revisit water access across the site to ensure it works for all plot holders

✅ Make rainwater harvesting viable

Support larger, shared systems
Install proper infrastructure (collection points, tanks, guttering)
Help unlock available funding

✅ Be fair on costs

If access cannot be improved enough, charges should reflect this
People should not pay for a service they no longer receive

✅ Keep the site usable for everyone

Consider older and less mobile plot holders
Ensure the site remains accessible in practice

Closing
Carr Lane Allotments are an important local resource for growing food and supporting wellbeing.
This is about making sure the current approach is practical, fair, and works for the people using the site.
The North Lincolnshire Food Partnership wants to work constructively with the Council and local growers to get this right.

Call to Action
Sign this petition to support a fair and workable water solution at Carr Lane Allotments.