UPDATE: Roads closed after flooding (From Daily Echo)

UPDATE: Roads closed after flooding

7:05am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

Torrential rain and flooding brought road closures across Hampshire this morning.

Roads in the New Forest were hit by floods as drivers were issued with a warning from roads chiefs.

Among the routes shut by standing water this morning are the B3055 at Sway and Balmer Lawn Road at Brockenhurst.

The Southwick Road and Bridge Street junction is also hit by flooding and is passable with care.

A fallen tree is also partially blocking the A3057 Southampton to Romsey road.

It comes after lashing rain and gusts of up to 60 mph swept across the county over night.

Highways and maintenance teams were put on red alert amid fears rain and strong winds could spark power cuts, topple trees, block drains and blow rainwater on to road surfaces.

Civic chiefs have put their Emergency Planning Team on standby ahead of an onslaught of dismal weather, expected to hit the county in the middle of the night.

Meanwhile, motorists have been urged to take care on the roads and avoid fords.

Hampshire County Council's transport supremo Mel Kendal said: “Our highways teams are ready, with additional support from extra gully tankers, emergency response teams and tree crews on stand-by to help keep Hampshire moving, by dealing with flooding on our roads or setting up diversion routes if a road has to be closed.

“I would ask everyone to take particular care if they have to make a journey in these conditions.

"Spare a thought too for cyclists and any pedestrians walking along the road side, so that they are not showered by puddle water thrown up from the road by moving vehicles. “

Last month torrential rain caused chaos across with fears the the River Wallington near Fareham was about to burst its banks.