Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Pilot schemes introducing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are being launched in Fareham.

Phase 1: Westborn Road, Fareham

Start date: Monday 1 June 2026
Duration: Approximately 6 weeks
Permitted working hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30am–5:30pm (no noisy works before 8am).

Traffic management

Westborn Road will be closed during construction for safety.
Pedestrian and emergency access to all properties on Westborn Road will be maintained at all times.
The pedestrian footpath link at the southern end of Westborn Road will be closed and a signed pedestrian diversion will be in place.
Vehicle access may be restricted at times; the site team will work with residents to manage access where possible.
Parking: temporary changes to parking and access will be managed during construction, and permanent parking restrictions will apply near the new raingarden once works are complete.
Part of the nearby Palmerstone Avenue car park is planned for use as the site compound.

For the exact location and traffic management please visit Causeway One.network.

Phase 2: Southampton Road and Serpentine Road – in development for construction by March 2027.

Hampshire County Council is working in partnership with Southern Water to deliver drainage improvements in Fareham, as part of a wider programme of work to reduce sewer flooding and protect local rivers and coastal waters.

Older combined sewers in the UK carry both household wastewater and rainwater in the same pipes. During heavy rainfall, large volumes of rainwater from roads, driveways and roofs enter the combined sewer network and these systems can quickly become overloaded. This increases the risk of waste water being released into rivers and the sea through combined sewer overflows (CSOs), to prevent flooding to homes and businesses.

Southern Water holds responsibility for managing waste water across the majority of Hampshire and it has a legal requirement to reduce CSO releases. Highway SuDS are a key part of Southern Water’s long term plan to reduce storm overflow releases by managing surface water more sustainably, alongside sewer upgrades and other improvements across the region. Fareham is a priority catchment for action under national environmental targets.

Hampshire County Council is working with Southern Water to reduce the amount of rainwater entering combined sewers from roads, homes, and other hard surfaces. This pilot introduces Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) within public highways to support that goal.

By slowing and managing rainwater from the highway and adjoining paved areas before it enters the sewer network, we can reduce CSO events and improve environmental outcomes. SuDS manage rainwater in a more natural and sustainable way by:

Temporarily storing water close to where it falls
Allowing gradual infiltration into the ground and evapotranspiration into the air
Slowing the flow into sewer systems

Benefits for the community and environment:

Lower risk of sewer flooding during heavy rainfall
Cleaner rivers and coastal waters
Reduced pollution entering the environment
Nature based drainage solutions that support biodiversity
More resilient infrastructure for future climate conditions

This partnership with Southern Water is a unique opportunity to deliver solutions that benefit both the environment and the local community. Please see further information from Southern Water is provided below:

More information on SuDS can be found at Southern Water’s website: Sustainable drainage solutions.

The first phase of the project will install SuDS within the highway at Westborn Road, Fareham - including a raingarden and underground storage. The raingarden will be constructed from a kerbed and planted buildout at the southern end of the road, with underground components to store and manage surface water. Additional underground water storage will be constructed beneath the footpath at the southern end of the road.

These features will:

Capture and temporarily store rainwater close to where it falls
Slow the flow of water into the combined sewer at the southern end of the road
Reduce pressure on the wider drainage network during storms

Residents’ feedback has informed changes to the scheme design to minimise the impact on parking and access while still delivering the required storage and environmental benefits. Hampshire County Council and its contractor will continue to engage with residents throughout construction to minimise disruption and manage access needs.

Southern Water will monitor the system’s performance using its own data. The results will help guide future decisions on expanding SuDS installations across Hampshire.

The new drainage assets will be adopted and maintained by the County Council as Highway Authority, with Southern Water funding future maintenance through commuted sums.

Delivery of the Phase 1 Pilot Scheme was formally approved under delegated authority by the Director of the County Council’s Universal Services directorate on 26 September 2025. Please read the Decision Report .
The associated changes to on-street parking were formalised. Please read the Decision Report.

Please read the FAQs MS (Sway document).

View the technical plans

Southern Water is funding the design, construction, and maintenance of the SuDS features in this pilot. The project will test feasibility, effectiveness, and delivery processes, informing a broader strategy for future SuDS schemes across Hampshire.

Visit Causeway One.Network which is where the planned works are published and is an independent platform that allows real-time monitoring of all the UK’s roadworks and diversions.

My Journey - travel information and travel advice choices in Hampshire.

Name Highways, Engineering and Transport
Email [email protected]
Phone 0300 555 1388

Address
Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UD