Invite to a Public Meeting on Saturday 4th February 10.00 am in the Community Centre to brief Riparian Owners within our parish (Upton - Hurstbourne Tarrant.)

As a result of the flooding during the winter of 2013/14 the Hampshire County Council, Environment Agency, Highways and engineers have completed a walk through study of the Bourne Valley.

Four flood groups were formed, Vernham Dean, Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant and St.Mary Bourne. These then joined to present a united front to the above agencies as The Bourne Valley Flood Group. It is this united front that has led to the possibility of the grants that enabled the study to take place.

They have completed draft maps which show works that would be necessary to bring the valley up to (or back to depending on your view) the standard required to assist in the transfer of water along the length of the valley from Vernham Dean to St Mary Bourne.

To summarise, the stream bed and ditch system has been allowed to fall into disrepair and in some cases been filled in. It is the intention of the agencies involved to cost the works necessary to return them to a working level.

To that end Hampshire County Council have taken the lead and would like the land owners to look at the works that are required and to volunteer their services in re-grading the stream bed where necessary.

Under Riparian Law it is the duty of the land owner to maintain any waterway. However Riparian Law also states that the land owner is not responsible for “improving” the waterway. So it is a case of returning the stream bed to its old working state, not adding to it.

We have been meeting with these agencies for the past 2 years and are now in the position where HCC needs to raise the money necessary, probably through grants, to enable the work to be completed. They will be undertaking the other works that fall within their responsibility.

The Hurstbourne Tarrant Flood Group has maps of the valley which have been prepared by HCC Engineers.

What the Hurstbourne Tarrant Flood Group proposes is that we hold a meeting with the land owners so that it can be explained in more detail. We can then feedback any concerns and views to HCC at the next meeting which is to be held at Winchester on the 17.02.2017.

To that end would you be able to attend a meeting on Saturday 4th February 10.00 am in the Community Centre with members of the Parish Council and allow Gary Edwards (HbT Flood Group) to show you the maps of the proposed works. Coffee will be provided.

Your local knowledge will be advantageous as this will be the first time the engineers thoughts will be studied by those not involved to date.

David Sullivan (Chairman of the Parish Council)