Schools and colleges announce closures as Storm Ciarán hits the New Forest and Christchurch, causing flooding and fallen trees
ROADS have been closed due to localised flooding and fallen trees while some schools have announced closures across the New Forest and Christchurch due to the arrival of Storm Ciarán.
The Met Office had previously issued an amber warning for the area, which has now been changed to a yellow warning for strong wind and heavy rain.
This may disrupt travel, utilities, and cause some structural damage, it is warning.
In Lymington, the Environment Agency has closed the flood gate at Lymington Toll Bridge on the B3054 to reduce the risk of flooding.
Posting on X, the organisation wrote: “The police have closed the road. Please follow traffic diversion.”
Lymington and New Milton police warned in a Facebook post of severe flooding, writing: “There are currently no safe passable ways for vehicles to cross the Lymington River, with all roads the length of the river from Brockenhurst to Lymington being closed due to flooding.
“All vehicular traffic is being diverted via the A35 to Lyndhurst, in order to cross the southern half of the Forest.”
The post added: “It shouldn’t need to be said, but if a road is flooded, please find an alternative route. An extra 20 minutes on your journey is better than ruining your vehicle.”
Hampshire County Council also confirmed road closures across Brockenhurst including on the A337 Lyndhurst Road at the junction with Balmer Lawn Road, at Balmer Lawn Lane, on the B3055 Mill Lane, Rhinefield Road and Brookley Road.
A&T reader Kate Collison sent a video of flooding near Balmer Lawn in Brockenhurst, which showed vehicles attempting to navigate the roads.
At Lymington Quay, the Environment Agency closed tidal doors on Wednesday evening to reduce the risk to local residents and businesses.
In Christchurch, a fallen tree on the A35 near the Purewell Cross roundabout was quickly cleared after police temporarily closed the road, BCP Council confirmed.
Numerous schools and colleges have closed for the day, with some choosing to set pupils work online.
Closures include: Brockenhurst College, Applemore College, Noadswood School in Didben Purlieu, New Forest Academy in Holbury, Our Lady and St Joseph in Lymington, Moyles Court in Ringwood, Fordingbridge infant and juniors, Poulner infant and juniors, St Luke’s in Sway, Waterside Primary in Hythe and Greenwood School in Hythe.
New Forest District Council announced it had closed Hordle Beach steps after cliff movement caused them to become detached.
Sharing an image on Facebook, it added: “We have closed the steps and our teams will continue to assess.
“Coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, heavy waves, and potential flooding during adverse weather conditions.
“During the storm, please do not visit the coast, and please observe any closure signs.”
Issuing an update this afternoon, NFDC said roads across the district “continue to be impacted by the storm”.
It said: “Some roads are impassable because of flooding and have been closed [and] diversions are in place.
“This includes areas in Lymington, Totton, Fordingbridge and Brockenhurst.
“If you are travelling, plan your journey in advance and allow extra time. Check the status of roads on the Romanse website.”
Its waste and recycling collections had been completed “in the majority”, it said, with some areas unable to be accessed due to surface flooding.
Affected residents are asked to take their waste back into their homes and present it on their next scheduled collection day.
The council’s information offices at New Milton and Appletree Court in Lyndhurst have closed as of 2.25pm, the council confirmed.
It said: “This is earlier than the scheduled time today, as we work to respond to Storm Ciarán. You can [still] contact us by telephone and email.”
In Totton, residents Nikki Milton and Jane Roulstone took to social media to share images of roads underwater in Sutton Road, Cheam way and Ewell way, while Maria Wolosz sent in images of flooding in Balmer Lawn Road, Brockenhurst this morning.
New Forest District Council said it was aware of road surface flooding in Totton, including Tennyson Road, Shakespeare Drive, Stanley Road and Shelley Road areas, and was working with its partners to distribute sandbags and resolve the issues.
The council said it had been advised by police that a stretch between Bowerwood Road and Church Street, Fordingbridge, needed to be closed, as vehicles had got stuck in floods.
Boldre resident Ed Wallrock, a lifeboat volunteer, took to his tractor to help people through the floods at Boldre Bridge in the New Forest.
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for Brockenhurst, Boldre, Calshot, Hythe, Marchwood, Eling, Landford and Rushington, and Lower Avon in Ringwood.
A spokesperson said: “Please take action to protect yourself and your property and monitor local weather and river conditions.”
It has also issued alerts for Bartley, Cadnam, Ower, Wimborne and Christchurch, where flooding may occur.
The spokesperson added: “Monitor local water levels and weather conditions, avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding [and] start acting on your flood plan if you have one.”
Flooding also occurred in Paradise Lane, Woodlands, where a Milk and More delivery van became stranded in a ford.
Traffic on the A31 was slow westbound between Stoney Cross and the A338 Salisbury Road in Ringwood due to flooding, according to ROMANSE, while the A35 offslip road which links to the A326 north Totton Bypass was closed.
Hampshire County Council confirmed the A338 north of Ringwood, which was closed between Headlands Business Park and Snails Lane due to a fallen tree which had taken down power cables and blocked the road, was reopened at 4.40am.
Forestry England posted a warning on X, which said: “Please don’t visit the forest today – the stormy weather makes it dangerous to walk under trees and there is a risk of trees blowing over in the strong winds.”
