HAMPSHIRE County Council says it is working 24/7 to keep people moving as flooding from heavy rainfall, high groundwater levels and overflowing rivers affects more areas across the county.

Last weekend alone another 10,000 sandbags were deployed by highways teams, bringing the total delivered around Hampshire to 35,000. Sandbags are filled at the four highways depots, where stocks of sand and bags are delivered, ready for roads across Hampshire worst hit by the flooding.

Since the heavy rains hit Hampshire just before Christmas, more than 100 highways staff have been on continuous deployment, along with all of the 200 frontline staff from highways contractor Amey. Last weekend saw 70 of these contractors helping to maintain 24 hours a day services through working on 12-hour shifts and calling in sub-contractors when necessary.

All eight of Hampshire’s gully tankers have been deployed non-stop over the past few weeks.

Current road closures are listed at www.hants.gov.uk.

As the Journal went to press, the following roads in its circulation area were on the list:

  • A338 Fordingbridge bypass: ongoing with pump and lights
  • A338 Upper Burgate
  • Thatchers Lane Sopley – closed and impassable
  • Derritt Lane between Bransgore and Sopley – closed
  • Flood Street (Breamore)
  • Green Lane, Ringwood
  • Linford Road, Poulner 
  • Kingsbury Lane, Ringwood
  • Picket Close, Fordingbridge – partial closure People are reminded that the situation can change very quickly.