Work to stop road to Romsey from flooding starts soon
A road with a history of flooding between Romsey and Stockbridge is being upgraded thanks to the Environment Agency and Hampshire County Council.
Upgrades to Stockbridge Road in Timsbury will help prevent it flooding
Work will start on Stockbridge Road, Timsbury, on 28 July and will take up to five weeks, depending on weather conditions. Several improvements will be made, including:
- Better kerb drainage systems with non-return valves
- Elevating the kerb and road surface up to 30cm
- Improving the road’s resilience to flooding for a 200-metre stretch between Bagre Canal Road bridge and the Main River Test Road bridge
The essential works by Hampshire County Council Highways mean the road must be closed during this time. Road users are advised to plan alternative routes but a clearly signposted diversion will be in place.
This latest work builds on the successful £9.5 million Romsey Flood Alleviation Scheme completed in 2022, which protects 127 properties from River Test and surface water flooding.
This section of road sits within a flood plain and experiences winter flooding, requiring temporary barriers and full road diversions that disrupt local travel and businesses.
Simon Moody, Environment Agency area director for Solent and South Downs, said:
This targeted intervention will significantly reduce the risk of seasonal flooding on a key route into Romsey.
By raising the road level and improving drainage infrastructure, we’re creating a safer, more resilient transport link that can withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
We thank the local community for its patience and cooperation during these essential works.
Temporary flood barriers, like the above, have been necessary in the past as the road sits in a flood plain.
Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said:
This closure will cause disruption, and I’m sorry that means a diversion for those using the road.
However, it’s good news the road closure is confined to the school holiday period and I welcome this further step towards the completion of Romsey’s much needed flood prevention scheme.
These improvements to the road layout will reduce the risk of flooding at a spot that has seen recurring issues. Whilst this essential work is taking place, do please allow more time for their journey.
Background
- Romsey has a history of flooding in the 1960s, 1995, 2000 and 2001. In the winter of 2013/2014, water overtopped Fishlake Stream and the Barge Canal, badly flooding 36 homes and 44 commercial properties with devastating consequences for families and businesses.
- The original Romsey Flood Alleviation Scheme was unveiled in July 2022 following completion in autumn 2021. That scheme included a tilting weir structure, earth embankments, and improvements to existing drainage systems.
- Residents can sign up for free flood warnings or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.