More pressure on county council to tackle road drainage issues amid safety concerns over A337 at Hordle

HORDLE Parish Council is another local authority calling on the cash-strapped Hampshire County Council to address road safety issues.

Blocked drainage on a stretch of the A337 and overgrown hedges encroaching on the pavement alongside it are among matters parish councillors want the county to “expedite” action to tackle.

This comes as New Milton councillors have also been pressuring HCC over blocked drains which have flooded town centre roads.

Hordle parish clerk Sarah Pitt told the A&T the A337 blocked drains had resulted in “a constant stream of water flowing from Otters to Efford Mill”.

This had been reported to HCC at the end of October.

“It’s not particularly dangerous at the moment, but as the winter continues, icy weather could make it potentially dangerous with the bends in the road,” Mrs Pitt said.

The matter was compounded by the vegetation in need of trimming, which has been pushing pedestrians nearer to the road and was reported to HCC in August.

The pavement itself has also become overgrown with weeds.

Although commenting there had been previous accidents on that stretch of road, Mrs Pitt emphasised it was not known if the drainage issue was the cause.

But she added: “Water on a relatively bendy road which freezes is not a good recipe for safe travel.”

The parish council had received around four or five reports from residents concerning the A337 issues, the clerk said.

She continued: “I know the weather has been unprecedented in the last few months and Hampshire highways have been extremely busy, but we’d still like to request they expedite the work in this area to prevent any issues.”

Responding to the concerns, local county councillor Fran Carpenter said there were currently no plans to address the drainage issue.

“There is much planned across Hordle, Everton, Milford and New Milton for areas that are considerably worse than that stretch,” Cllr Carpenter explained.

“However, should it worsen, highways will deal with it in order of safety priority as they always do.”

Turning to the overgrown hedges, she added: “Hedge cutting along that stretch has been carried out from time to time.

“Another cut is due, as I understand it. It is not high priority at present, but it will be done.”

Cllr Carpenter sought to assure the public HCC works “tirelessly” to repair road defects, but this had been impacted by adverse weather as it faces “budgetary constraints” and “limited personnel resourcing”.

Recent torrential rain and flooding meant highways teams had to be deployed to deal with emergency matters, she said.

These included a serious flooding incident at Everton Post Office last weekend.

The parish council is due to discuss ongoing A337 highway issues at its next meeting on Tuesday 19th December at 7.15pm at Hordle Pavilion on Vaggs Lane.

As reported in the A&T, a resident complained at a recent New Milton Town Council meeting about road defects.

These included drains on Station Road flooding during heavy rain, with reports a partially sighted pedestrian was soaked by a passing vehicle while waiting at a crossing.

Councillors backed mayor Cllr David Hawkins’ suggestion they write to HCC, emphasising the need for action to be taken.

“Hampshire County Council may not have much money, but we could do with a bit more invested in this because it’s not right,” he said.