Work is progressing  on the £3.89 million flood alleviation scheme to protect properties in  Hambledon in Hampshire - main roads in the village were completely flooded for several months by groundwater following the exceptional rainfall during the winter of 2013/14.

The scheme is being led by the County Council, working closely with the Environment Agency (EA), Winchester City Council, Hambledon Parish Council and other partners. The £3.89 million scheme was approved on Friday 11 July 2014.

The aim of the scheme is to reduce the risk of flooding to properties in the village and to keep village roads open during a flood event. Measures include:

• reducing surface water flooding of the highway by diverting water from north east of the village into a new large pipe beneath the road
• improving management of water on the highway, including that pumped out from properties, by changing the profile of the road and resurfacing to retain water within the kerb lines, and by providing opportunities for it to be carried away by the new large pipe
• improving the discharge of the ditches to the south of the village so that floodwater can be effectively drained away

The scheme is now in phase two - the 'big pipe' phase of the work which started in June 2015. Mildren Construction Ltd has been appointed as the contractor for Phase Two of the scheme. The County Council is closely involved in the work and has at least one officer on site at all times during the works. 

Councillor Seán Woodward, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said progress on the complex engineering project remains on schedule - around 360 metres of the 'Big Pipe' has now been laid. The construction work is due to last until the end of summer 2016.

Councillor Woodward added:

"This bespoke scheme will provide much needed relief and peace of mind to residents and businesses, in an area that is prone to flooding. At its worst, the main roads through Hambledon were completely flooded for several months by groundwater following the exceptional rainfall during the winter of 2013/14. This project has been designed to help mitigate the effects of such flooding in the future."