New Forest, BCP and Hampshire councils get stuck in with Storm Ciarán clean-up as the Environment Agency warns of further floods

A CLEAN-up operation across the New Forest and Christchurch is underway following Storm Ciarán, as further heavy rain showers are forecast for tomorrow (Saturday).

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain between 5am and midnight, which could cause disruption, particularly to travel, due to already saturated ground.

Spray and flooding on roads could make journey times longer, it is warning, and bus and train services may be affected.

Flooding of “a few” homes and businesses is possible and large waves may lead to dangerous conditions along some English Channel coastlines.

As a result, a number of new flood alerts have been issued by the Environment Agency, in areas including Middle Avon and tributaries between Salisbury and Ringwood, and the River Stour from Sturminster Marshall to Christchurch.

Flooding is also expected for Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch, it is warning.

The organisation confirmed previous warnings were no longer in place in Beaulieu, Calshot, Hythe, Marchwood, Eling, Christchurch Harbour side, Lower Avon at The Bridges and Stubbings Meadow in Ringwood and Rushington and Eling on Bartley Water.

A EA spokesperson said: “Flood water may still be around for several days.

“Take care as there may be hidden dangers in the flood water like sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution.”

Despite the disruption, some locals at Boldre Bridge found a light-hearted way to cope with the rising floodwater by using canoes to travel.

As the clean-up operation got underway, the Environment Agency confirmed it had reopened the flood gate at Lymington Toll Bridge on the B3054.

Posting an update this morning (Friday) a spokesperson said: “Although [the flood] didn’t actually come over the road, it was very close.

“High tide has now passed and the road is open again.”

BCP Council said its teams were working hard to clean up after the storm.

Leader Cllr Vikki Slade, who is also the cabinet member for dynamic places, which oversees emergency planning, said: “Our teams have been doing a fantastic job since the early hours, going over and above to respond to approximately 60 reports of trees fallen, clearing the road network in Bournemouth and Christchurch and keeping our day-to-day services running smoothly.

“There’s still more work to do to respond directly to the storm, and we should all be mindful that the weather will still affect us all as we move into the weekend.

“There’s the risk that some trees or branches might still fall, so be careful when going out and about.”

She added: “A clear up operation is underway to prioritise the worst of any blockages or flooding incidents on roads or pathways and we are urging residents to bear with us while we get through all the reports of incidents that need attending.”

Residents should continue to stay away from the coastline, where further flooding and tidal surges are expected, she added.

Hampshire County Council said its highways teams “remain on full alert” to deal with additional issues in the wake of the storm.

It added: “Flooding, mainly from rivers and tidal surges, had been a big issue [on Thursday], with many road closures.

“We’re working with our partners to assist with flooding in Totton, Ringwood and Fordingbridge.”

It added the following roads remained closed, with diversions in place: Pilley Hill, Brockenhurst, Stanley Road, Totton, Balmer Lawn Road, Brockenhurst, B3078 Bowerwood Road ,Fordingbridge, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, B3055 Mill Lane, Brockenhurst, Churchfield Lane, Ringwood, Crow Hill, Ringwood, Eastfield Lane, Ringwood, Gorley Road, Ringwood, Lepe Road, Lepe, Norley Wood Road, Lymington, Pilley Hill, Lymington, Stanley Road, Totton and the A337 Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst.

William Gilpin Church of England Primary School in Boldre was closed to pupils on Friday due to “significant flooding on key routes”.

Other schools were forced to close due to a Southern Water outage, including Manor Church of England Infant School in Hardley, Marchwood infant and juniors, Waterside primary in Hythe, Hythe primary, Cadand primary, Waterside infant and juniors in Hythe, Greenwood School in Dibden Purlieu, Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu and Oak Lodge in Hythe.

New Forest District Council confirmed its teams were out completing refuse and recycling rounds as expected this morning (Friday) but added: “If travel conditions mean we are unable to complete all collections and your waste is not collected, our apologies.

“Please take your waste back in and present it on your next scheduled collection day.”