News

Flooding problem solved outside junior school

By Tim Harris
November 21, 2012

PROBLEMS with "severe" flooding outside a school in Farnborough appear to have been solved, allowing children to cross a road safely.

According to those who use the stretch of road, the pedestrian crossing outside Manor Junior School in Fernhill Road has been plagued with flooding for years.

With the crossing sometimes left engulfed by water, the safety of schoolchildren crossing the road was brought into question.

Drainage work was carried out during the summer by Hampshire County Council, with work completed this month.

Benjamin Doughty, neighbourhood watch beat officer for the Cherrywood ward, described how the flooding had reached its "worst ever" state at the end of last year, causing the safety worries.

He said: “The road was severely flooded, it appeared to be six inches deep. Kids and their parents were having to cross the road a good distance from the [school] zig-zag lines, and in between cars.

“Children were crossing at places that were highly dangerous. You also had kids trying to scramble up the embankment on the other side of the road, it was just total chaos.

“I was concerned about the welfare of the kids. It was an accident waiting to happen if this flooding had gone on.”

It is believed flooding on this stretch of Fernhill Road has been a problem for around 15 years.

Mr Doughty described how he reported the issue several times, and then Hampshire County Council stepped in to take action.

He said county councillors Roz Chadd and Carol Leversha worked together to push for the work to be done.

“We have now had it rectified, fingers crossed” added Mr Doughty. “Thanks should go to Hampshire County Council for doing a great job in such bad summer weather.

“They also worked fantastically well assisting pupils to cross the road whilst the crossing was unusable.”

Mark Sammes, headteacher at Manor Junior School, added: “The pedestrian crossing is accessible again. We haven't had any significant rain since completion of the works to see if they have made any real difference yet, but fingers crossed.”

The county council began work in July, and the final road markings were completed this month.

Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport for Hampshire County Council, commented: “There was a history of flooding at the pedestrian crossing, which meant that people were not able to use the designated crossing.

“The road has been resurfaced and the drainage system was replaced. To ensure pedestrians could safely use the crossing at peak times, the temporary traffic signals for the works were operated manually with support staff assisting as the permanent crossing was closed.

“We have had an extremely wet summer and the rain appears to be continuing into the autumn season, so I am pleased that the works appear to have solved the flooding issue.

“I hope that the recent work to solve the previous flooding issues will encourage more children to walk to school.”

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