Flooding set to be resolved on Picket Twenty Way, Andover

Picket Twenty in Andover has faced ongoing flooding issues for almost a decade, recently worsened by Storm Chandra’s heavy rain and winds.

Following a recent meeting between Cllr Donnelly and engineers from Persimmon, plans are now in place to reengineer the main spine road and improve drainage, with work expected to be done this summer.

Cllr Donnelly, who represents both Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council, said: "I met with the engineers from Persimmon to discuss the issues we have had with flooding for at least the nine years.

Flooding in Picket Twenty (Image: Chris Donnelly)

"They knew of the problem, but it’s fair to say that their jaws collectively dropped when they saw it in the flesh.

"Persimmon, Hampshire, and Test Valley Borough Councils have all now agreed that Picket Twenty Way will be resurfaced in its entirety with tarmac, from the A3093 roundabout to the B3400 roundabout.

"New drainage will need to be installed and Hampshire are submitting an outline plan as to what they require to adopt the road, which will be completed in detail by Persimmon."

The reengineering work will be funded by Persimmon, with funds already ring-fenced to complete the project.

Cllr Donnelly said: "They are keen to get it done this summer.

"I have told them that I’ll do whatever I can to get the council to expedite the permissions and have already met the CEO and Leader and got their agreement."

The improvements are expected to prevent water from running downhill onto Turnpike Road and Quicksilver Way, two areas also affected by flooding.

While Turnpike Road will probably need a new soakaway and pipes, Quicksilver Way poses additional challenges as it is owned by Bloor Homes, not Persimmon.

Cllr Donnelly said that although Bloor Homes had received flooding reports, they had not yet taken action, but Persimmon had offered to send a tanker to remove standing water in the meantime.

He added: "The long and the short of it is that hopefully we shall have this problem sorted by the summer.

"Although I have no direct control, I’ll keep doing what I can to make sure that the work is done."

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "As a consequence of recent heavy rain and stormy weather, we are receiving increased numbers of reports of surface flooding on roads across Hampshire.

"In response, we have deployed additional specialist machines to clear blocked piped drainage systems, supported by dedicated teams addressing localised flooding issues."