WORK is being done to defend Salisbury from flooding.

That is the message from Wiltshire councillor Mike Hewitt, who represents the council on the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and is on the operational flood working group.

Wiltshire Council, Highways England and the Environment Agency are coming together to address flooding issues in the city and neighbouring villages. They are also working alongside Wessex Water and Thames Water.

Cllr Hewitt said: “We are working with all the agencies to try and put together a plan to resolve the flooding in Salisbury and outlying villages. It is a multi-agency approach. A lot of money has been spent and will be spent to defend the city.”

In excess of £40,000 has already been spent by the Environment Agency on surveys in the Salisbury area. It receives money from Wiltshire Council as part of a levy system.

The surveys are looking at water levels and water flow in the city. 

The council, Highways England and the Environment Agency are looking at flooding on the A36 at Southampton Road. And work is planned to raise the edges of river banks to hold the water in this area.

There has also been an overhaul of the pumps in underpasses in the city to ensure water does not build up during times of flooding.

The council has been working with Salisbury City Council to draw up flood plans and establish trained flood wardens.

Parish emergency assistance kits, which include sandbags, warning signs and fluorescent jackets, are being made available to outlying villages so they are equipped to respond immediately during flooding.

Cllr Hewitt says flooding expertise will also be retained in-house as dedicated flood workers will come under the authority of Wiltshire Council as part of the restructured highways contract.

Cllr Hewitt said the work will be ongoing, adding: “We hope to relieve any flooding in the city but there will be flooding to a degree at some time.”

Further work is planned for Hindon, Woodford Valley and Coombe Bissett over the coming weeks to resolve localised flood problems.