Work was completed on the £3.89m flood alleviation scheme last year which saw the protection of 962 properties in Hambledon, Hampshire, where the village main roads had been completely flooded for months by groundwater following the exceptional rainfall during the winter of 2013/14
Building work began in 2015 by Mildren Construction and included the installation of over 1.5km of pipes, including 900mm and 1200mm precast concrete flexible jointed pipes supplied by Marshalls CPM, to improve the network of drainage systems by diverting water from the northeast of the village into a new large flood alleviation pipeline tank system beneath the road.
By improving the management of water on the road system, changing the profile of the road and resurfacing to retain water within the kerb lines, providing opportunities for it to be carried away by the new pipeline system and improving the discharge of the ditches to the south of the village, the floodwater can be effectively drained away.
Along with a host of precast concrete drainage pipes, Marshalls CPM supplied chamber rings and cover slabs to the project which has a long history of groundwater flooding with events occurring in 2012/13, 2002/3, 2000/1, 1994/95 and the in the 1960s.
Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said:
“Now the work is complete, Hambledon’s residents and businesses will see significant long-term benefits. The images we remember of the roads completely flooded, for several months, by groundwater following the exceptional rainfall during the winter of 2013/14, are a thing of the past. I’m pleased we have been able to put this level of investment into a small community like Hambledon, and work through complicated construction – engineering a major scheme in a small space in the middle of a community, while trying not to interrupt daily life.”
Councillor Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council, commented: “This scheme to install major culverts underneath the main road through the centre of Hambledon is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working collaboratively with our partners – the Environment Agency and Winchester City Council. It was a considerable undertaking, but one which will benefit the community for many years to come”.
The Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Advisor Ian Miller added: “This is a great example of how Government flood defence funding can be used to contribute to local authority projects to reduce flood risk in communities.”
Having seen what this winter has to offer, Hambledon residents are now experiencing the benefits of the new flood alleviation scheme with less disruption to village life.
