New Forest flood defences need major overhaul before climate change hits hard, expert warns

THE New Forest needs a major overhaul of its natural flood defences before climate change starts causing more extreme weather, an expert has warned.

Peter Hebard, who runs Brockenhurst and New Forest Flood Action Group, said government agencies, landowners and companies need to work in a more "neighbourly" way to create and manage the area's natural flood defences.

Better management could not only prevent communities being flooded in wet weather but also store water during dry spells, such as through of bogs and mires – making the New Forest a rural "showcase" for dealing with climate change and boosting wildlife.

Former engineer Mr Hebard, who has lived on the Forest for 30 years, said: "At the moment if we get fierce rain in the Forest, within about 24 hours almost all of that run off rain ends up in the Solent," said Mr Hebard.

"We need to find ways to slow water flows at strategic points so that it can run off to be stored in mires.

"Often the answer to slowing water flows is as simple as dropping, or layering, a tree or two across a waterway upstream from a village so the water can back up a bit and replenish the mires."

He added: "If you ask experts about how climate change will affect us: in the north of England they will get more rain, but in the south we will get more droughts.

"The droughts we've seen in southern and south-west England recently were not a one-off and are likely to become far more frequent."

Mr Hebard said he and his fellow flood action group members have already dug improved drainage channels around Balmer Lawn in Brockenhurst that allow flood waters to clear within 30 minutes of a deluge.

He said he has also worked with Hampshire County Council highways engineers to keep drains clear at a flood prone underpass on the B3055 between Sway and Brockenhurst.

"It is a highly cost effective, community-led measure but landowners and authorities can do it in the course of routine land management at little or no extra cost," said Mr Hebard.

"The New Forest could become the Environment Agency's showcase for cost-effective practical self-help measures."

Mr Hebard added: "We just need various agencies, like the Environment Agency, commoners and landowners to work together in a more neighbourly way to manage them."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said "nature based flood solutions" were part of its techniques and there was potential for them to be used in the New Forest, with a feasibility study currently underway around Brockenhurst.

They added: "This work will be delivered in collaboration with Wessex Rivers Trust and will consider all aspects of undertaking natural flood management, including the unique way in which the New Forest is managed."

The spokesperson said the feasibility work is being funded by the regional flood and coastal committee, adding: "We have already been liaising with organisations such as the New Forest Catchment Partnership, the New Forest National Park Authority and Natural England to develop the approach.

"Depending on the outcomes it has the potential to provide a model for other locations in the New Forest to follow."