FLOODING is impacting parts of the New Forest and Christchurch following heavy rain at the weekend.
The Environment Agency says affected areas today (Monday) include Milford, Lymington, Keyhaven, Beaulieu, Fordingbridge, Ower, Bartley and Christchurch Harbour.
It says in the last 24 hours, 30mm of rain has been recorded in Lyndhurst alone. Meanwhile a car was abandoned in Brockenhurst due to floodwater.
A car was abandoned in Brockenhurst due to floodwater (picture: James Durston)
An alert for parts of the coast between Milford-on-Sea and Lymington states that due to higher than normal tides and strong winds, flooding could occur at the footpath near the Ship Inn Pub, Town Quay, as well as Saltgrass Lane, which is expected to be completely impassable to traffic.
In Milford High Street, near the Smugglers Inn Pub, the river will increase with the tide and may come close to the top of the river bank, possibly flooding footpaths.
The alert states: “To protect property from flooding at Keyhaven and Lymington, we will close our tidal defence gates two hours either side of high water. We recommend that all private defence gates are closed.”
Flooding is also expected in parts of Beaulieu including Beaulieu estuary and the open coast between Thorns Beach and Needs Ore Point.
Palace Lane and the B3056 Hatchet Lane, north of the Mill Pond, will flood, and access to the village will be “temporarily difficult”, says an alert.
It adds: “Monday afternoon’s tide at 3:30pm is forecast to be lower [and] no further flood impacts are expected.
“To reduce flood risk to property, please drive slowly through Beaulieu, avoiding it completely if possible.”
Christchurch Harbour will also be impacted, with Mudeford, Stanpit, the Quomps and Wick areas most affected two hours either side of high tide.
A flood warning for the Lower Stour highlights Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch as areas which could be impacted by floodwater, while rising river levels in the Middle Hampshire Avon will impact south of the A36 at Salisbury to Blashford in Ringwood.
Areas set to be impacted include Breamore, Fordingbridge and Bickton.
Bartley park near Totton was flooded (picture: David Young)
Cllr David Harrison, who represents Totton, shared a picture of a play park in Ashurst Bridge which had been flooded.
A flood alert for Bartley Water warns of possible impacts to Fletchwood Copse in Ashurst and stretches between Bartley and Eling.
It states: “Out of bank flooding will affect land, roads and gardens at Ashurst and Woodlands. Our operational staff are checking defences and looking for obvious blockages in the Bartley Water.”
A play park in Ashurst Bridge was also under water (picture: Cllr David Harrison)
A flood warning for Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater states levels are high, but slowly falling. It adds: “In the last 15 hours, 13mm of rain has been recorded at Romsey. This has kept the river very high during the night.
“Significant out of bank flooding affecting land and roads at West Wellow, Landford and Ower will continue through today.
“Our operations staff will work to keep the river free of reported blockages [and] we continue to monitor the forecast.”
Wiltshire Road in Bransgore was flooded (picture: Mick Burder)
Resident Mick Burder shared an image of flooding in Wiltshire Road in Bransgore, urging residents to slow down. He told the A&T the problem would be made worse following New Forest District Council’s approval of 100 new homes nearby.
The Environment Agency is also advising people to avoid using low-lying foothpaths and bridges near local watercourses to avoid putting themselves or others at risk.
The Met Office had earlier released a yellow weather warning for south west England, which ran until 10am, due to outbreaks of heavy rain overnight on Sunday and early this morning.
Hampshire County Council warned of an emergency road closure on the A35 between Lyndhurst and Holmsley this morning due to a fallen tree and abandoned lorry, which was cleared by around 8am.