Archived decisions

COUNCIL MEETING, 13 DECEMBER 2001

REPORT OF THE

Executive Member for the Environment

PART II

    FLOOD DAMAGE TO THE HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE OF HAMPSHIRE

1. Hampshire suffered from extensive and prolonged flooding as a result of the extreme weather conditions experienced during the autumn of 2000, which was primarily groundwater related due to the unique geology of the region. The total cost of repairs to the fabric of the network and associated measures was initially estimated to be £7.908 million.

2. The Government Office for the South East (GOSE) requested details of the extent of the damage caused to the highway infrastructure as a result of the flooding and was notified of the estimated figure in May 2001. On 1 August 2001 the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) announced £23 million in support to local authorities to repair roads worst hit by the floods. The support was made available to 22 authorities by way of Supplementary Credit Approval to be used in 2001/02 and 2002/03. The County Council qualified for this support and was awarded £5.051 million and a decision was made in September 2001 to add this sum to the Capital Programme for the period 2001-2003. The latest estimated cost of repairs stands at £10.039 million therefore the balance of costs will be funded from the Highways Maintenance budget as follows:-

Funding from the Government Office for the South East:

                      £,000

Running repairs to highway network (safety) 500

Structural damage (bridges, etc) 675

Repairs to drainage systems and flood alleviation 1,375

Repairs to flood damaged roads 2,500

                Total 5,050

Funding from the County Council's Highway Maintenance Budge

Emergency response during the crisis 1,377

Running repairs to highway network (safety) 1,580

Structural damage (bridges, etc) 120

Repairs to drainage systems and flood alleviation 1,912

                Total 4,989

Total funding from GOSE and the County Council's Highway

Maintenance Budget £10,039,100

3. The support granted will allow remedial work to be undertaken to the highway infrastructure and will go a considerable way to making good the flood damage in Hampshire.

8ER91101