Buckskin flood alleviation scheme

Development of solutions to reduce flooding in the Buckskin area

Latest updates

The scheme has been fully functional since December 2020, and better protects houses and businesses in the area from groundwater flooding up to the 2014 flood event level. Further works were undertaken in April and May 2022. The project is now currently within its snagging/defects period.

Upcoming works

No further major works are currently planned at this time. Some minor maintenance works may occur during the defects period.

Scheme background

In the winter of 2013 to 2014 Buckskin and the surrounding area was badly affected by flooding. A multi-agency group has been working together with local residents to understand the cause of the flooding and develop solutions.

The Buckskin multi-agency group is made up of:

  • Hampshire County Council
  • Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
  • Environment Agency
  • Thames Water Utilities Limited
  • Sovereign Housing Association
  • South East Water Limited

In June 2017, the multi-agency group committed to work together to promote and develop the agreed scheme.

Scheme design

The proposed scheme is being taken forward in two phases.

Phase 1 comprises improvements of ditches and upgrades to culverts along Churchill Way West and Worting road, and improvements of ditches in Saunders Field to improve drainage of floodwater between Buckskin and the start of the River Loddon.

Phase 2 comprises the installation of new lateral pipes to collect rising groundwater from between houses in the Buckskin area, and to direct floodwater to a new drainage pipe between the Ridgeway Centre and ditches to the north of Worting Road roundabout.

Proposed scheme design at detailed design stage

Phase 3 involves diverting utility services and re-laying the pipe at the Worting Road footbridge in its final configuration.

Indicative programme

Proposed programme subject to consents and permits

Milestone Timescale
Phase 1 Contract Award August 2018
Phase 1 Construction starts September 2018
Phase 1 Construction ends April 2019
Subway Pipe Construction starts September 2019
Subway Pipe Construction ends November 2019
Phase 2 Contract Award October 2019
Phase 2 Construction starts November 2019
Phase 2 Construction ends January 2021
Phase 3 Worting Road Constructions starts April 2022
Phase 3 Worting Road Construction ends May 2022
1 year snagging/defects period ends May 2023
Project approval

A project appraisal of the scheme was approved by Councillor Humby Executive Member of Environment and Transport on 24 April 2018. The report provides an overview of the scheme, estimated scheme costs of around £6m and available funding from central government, the Thames Regional and coastal Committee and the multi-agency partners.

Questionnaire

Between Summer 2017 and Autumn 2018 a questionnaire for residents and businesses was delivered to over 500 properties in the affected area and an online version was made available to help us understand:

  • Where groundwater came up
  • Where water was pumped from
  • What access requirements residents and businesses have.

The responses to the questionnaire have informed the scheme design and will be used to facilitate access requirements during construction. The Questionnaire is now closed.

Initial flood investigation

Buckskin flood investigation 2014

Contact

Write to us at:

Flood and Water Management
Universal Services
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UD