Flooding Crisis in Milborne St Andrew: Wessex Water and MP Simon Hoare Join Forces
A pivotal gathering is set to occur this Thursday to address persistent flooding issues plaguing a village in Dorset.
Milborne St Andrew has been grappling with significant flooding problems attributed to elevated groundwater levels. In response, a meeting has been orchestrated with the participation of North Dorset MP Simon Hoare, Dorset Council, Wessex Water PLC, and the Parish Council.
Mr. Hoare emphasized the entrenched nature of the problem in the village. “One of the earliest meetings I held back in 2015 focused on discussing the flood challenges in Milborne St Andrew,” he recalled. “While some measures have been taken, it’s evident they haven’t been sufficient. We need to understand why these solutions have fallen short and chart a way forward.”
Addressing Groundwater Woes: Dorset Village Prepares for Crucial Meeting with Wessex Water PLC and Local MP
The MP for North Dorset stressed that discussions would concentrate on the capacity constraints within the water infrastructure in the area, aiming to preemptively address the issue. “Our goal is to identify capacity gaps and explore strategies to better manage surface floodwater and household wastewater,” he explained. “Improving these aspects can significantly enhance the living conditions of the village residents.”
Concerns had been raised about sewage contamination during the flooding episodes. However, reassuring statements from the Parish Council, shared via Facebook, and Wessex Water Services confirm that steps have been taken to address this aspect.
“On Friday, January 20th, a Wessex Water representative visited our village to assess the extent of flooding issues,” stated the Parish Council Clerk. “Their primary focus was on rectifying the sewerage service disruptions faced by Wessex Water customers. Prompt action was taken, and a pump was promptly deployed near March Bridge, yielding positive outcomes and swiftly addressing the sewage concerns of affected residents.”
Echoing this sentiment, a Wessex Water Company spokesperson highlighted the company’s significant investments in the Milborne St Andrew area. “We’ve implemented measures such as sealing sewers to prevent groundwater ingress and ensuring the seamless operation of the sewerage network during heavy rainfall events,” the spokesperson noted. “However, during this particular instance, breaches in riverbanks led to highway flooding, exacerbating the strain on the sewerage system.”
“To mitigate the impact, we swiftly deployed emergency high-powered pumps to extract river water from our sewers, with approval from the Environment Agency,” the spokesperson continued. “While we remain committed to supporting the community, it’s essential to acknowledge that addressing the flooding challenge requires a collaborative effort. We will continue collaborating with Dorset Council and the Environment Agency to explore further flood alleviation measures.”