Drivers criticised as more rain threatens homes (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Drivers criticised as more rain threatens homes
1:40pm Saturday 22nd December 2012 in News By Andy Martin and Katie Clark
Flooding in Corfe Castle
FLOOD water and heavy rain are set to cause more disruption across Dorset and the New Forest with warnings of further downpours until Christmas Eve.
And fire chiefs have criticised motorists for ignoring flood water warnings on the roads and driving into trouble.
An amber weather warning was issued by the Met Office for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with potential for up to 70mm of rain to fall before Christmas.
Among the problem areas on Saturday afternoon was a stretch of Salisbury Road at Burton, Christchurch, from Burton Hall Place to Preston Lane.
The road was closed due to volume of water. A number of properties are threatened and the fire service is on the scene.
Parish Council chairman, Judy Jamieson who has been out offering practical support, said: "It's a bit of a nightmare. We are doing our best to stop homes being flooded out."
The Environment Agency has also issued flood warnings for a number of places.
Farms at Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne, Mill Street in Corfe Mullen, Ringwood Road, Throop Road in Bournemouth, Barrack Road and Willow Way in Christchurch have all been issued with warnings.
Bickerley, Ringwood and the B3347 from Christchurch to Sopley Road are also in danger of flooding.
Tributaries between Wimborne and Christchurch may also flood this weekend.
Mill Street in Corfe Mullen has also flooded, but it is currently thought that no homes are affected.
Motorists aren't the only ones affected though - due to flooding between Sway and Hinton Admiral, trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
This morning, there was a large quantity of standing water on many locals roads with warnings from all the emergency services for drivers to take care.
The Environment Agency reminded motorists that just two feet of water can float a car.
Fire crews rescued three drivers from their vehicles in Lyndhurst Road in Christchurch. They used an inflateable boat.
Three hours later crews returned to rescue a stranded taxi driver. Another motorist was stuck for around five hours.
A spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said several incidents had occurred on the roads after drivers ignored closure signs and drove straight into the water.
"Motorists need to remember these closures are in place for their own safety," said the spokesman.
Station manager at Christchurch, Nick Rickett, said fire crews were out on unlit roads checking ditches to ensure that no drivers had fallen in after abandoning their cars.
The service said it was "extemely busy" on Saturday mornning and reissued its warning not to drive into standing water and to obey all road closed signs.
Darron Burness, the AA’s head of special operations said: “Unfortunately, some drivers will be asking Santa for a new car after driving down flooded roads.
“It’s just not worth the risk, so stay out of flood water, as it can hide all manner of hazards and you seriously risk wrecking your engine or worse.”
This morning there was flooding on the roads around Corfe Castle and an imminent flooding forecast on the rivers Frome, Char and Wey. The worst area for standing water on the roads is reported to be the Purbeck.
Fund-raising 'Santa Special' steam trains are still running through the Isle of Purbeck today, despite flooding blocking the main A351 Wareham to Swanage road at Corfe Castle. The road was reopened just after 10am.
Special early morning trains were laid on to transport Swanage Railway 'Santa Special' volunteers and staff from the Norden Park & Ride car park – off the main A351 road from Wareham and just north of Corfe Castle – to their places of duty at Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage stations.
At 8.44am, Swanage Railway volunteers reported the main A351 road at Corfe Castle was flooded and impassable between the B3351 Studland road railway viaduct and the centre of village by the old mill.
Currently there are delays of about 30 minutes on trains between Southampton and Bournemouth because of flooding at Sway.
Water on the roads around Winkton, Burton and Sopley was described as severe.
FRIDAY
Transport was brought to a halt on Friday with trains unable to operate due to floodwater on the tracks with roads across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch also impassable.
Fire fighters rescued a number of people from their vehicles throughout the day as well as sandbagging flooded homes in Bockhampton, near Christchurch and moving people’s valuables to upper levels of their properties.
The Lymington River at Brockenhurst burst its banks during the morning with water levels reported to have risen to three feet and parts of the village completely submerged.
Read our live coverage of the floods
In Poole, Blandford Road in Hamworthy was closed with firefighters sent to clear the water. Wessex Water had been digging up the road to replace a collapsed sewer.
Jason Muller, director of Lush at Stepnell Reach, just off Blandford Road, said: “We’ve sandbagged the unit but it’s lapping around the building.
“I’ve had to send 50 of the staff to our other site at Nuffield. It’s the busiest time of year so isn’t great timing.”
Hamworthy resident Paul Ticehurst said: “This is bound to have an effect on the road works. It’s already been going on for nine weeks so any delays are going to really frustrate people.”
County councillor for Upton, Fred Drane, added: “There was about two foot of water still there at lunchtime.
See all our pictures from the recent floods
“This is unacceptable. This work should have been completed by now. There was just nowhere for the water to run to other than along the road.
“Most drivers were still turning around, but a few were taking their chances and driving through.
“Wessex Water should have tankers up there to take the water away as Dorset County Council does if there is a massive flood.”
A spokesperson for Wessex Water said: “Unfortunately while the ground is heavily saturated the road is unable to be reinstated.”
Engineers are expected to re-open the road at 1pm today, on schedule.
The road to Lytchett from the Bakers Arms roundabout in Poole was also flooded along with the A341 at Queen Anne Drive in Merley and Burley Road at Winkton, Christchurch.
Flash floods were reported around Canford Arena and Canford Magna with three vehicles stuck in flood water at Holt Road, Three Legged Cross, Canford Arena, and Magna Road.
Traffic was also at a standstill on the Dorset Way during morning rush hour while Matchams Lane in Christchurch was closed during the morning.
Drivers were warned to take care on the A35 due to surface water near the Cat and Fiddle pub at Hinton near Christchurch.
Parts of the New Forest were also badly hit with Hampshire Fire and Rescue activating their emergency control centre to co-ordinate assistance.
Eastfield Lane and Woodford Close in Ringwood were badly flooded with a father and daughter rescued from their Porsche by a PCSO after it became submerged in a ford near Sway.
Comments(41)
Humf
says...
11:43am Fri 21 Dec 12
Lord Spring
says...
11:51am Fri 21 Dec 12
Please mention it in the travel news when it happens.
pauls55
says...
12:00pm Fri 21 Dec 12
outlawselfinterest
says...
12:14pm Fri 21 Dec 12
Even those who drive fast through water - look at the picture of the Land Rover in your second picture - will soak anyone nearby. Is it really so much fun?
Go the long way round if you really must travel. But if it's only inconvenient, stay at home or at the office and be patient.
The emergency services have better things to do with their time.
oneshortleg
says...
4:35pm Fri 21 Dec 12
Hobad1
says...
8:50pm Fri 21 Dec 12
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
Adrian XX
says...
8:32am Sat 22 Dec 12
And being able to swim should be a condition of having a driving license.
BIGTONE
says...
8:44am Sat 22 Dec 12
They won't spend any.
The agenda at shareholder meetings............
.
Let the insurance companies sort out the aftermath.We are not interested.
NortyNick
says...
8:54am Sat 22 Dec 12
spooki
says...
8:59am Sat 22 Dec 12
rayc
says...
10:10am Sat 22 Dec 12
It turned out that the drainage system hadn't been cleaned out. His widow was awared £225,000 in agreed damages for his death..
devilstail
says...
10:13am Sat 22 Dec 12
It is one thing to drive a 4x4 through a slightly flooded road. There are 4x4 enthusiasts out there who have their vehicles waterproofed and adapted for deep water wading and trained but a Porsche or any other type of normal car is ridiculous.
I can understand if there was a sudden surge of water but this is not the first time this year we have had flooding and the emergency services have issued warnings.
It is typical of the I'm more important attitude of some drivers who blot our roads everyday. There is no journey that can justify the idiocy, if it is an emergency call 999 and they will send something appropriate, otherwise find an alternative route or make other arrangements.
Buddles
says...
10:13am Sat 22 Dec 12
oneshortleg wrote:A massive +100 to that.
It is hardly suprising while this area floods much is down to poor maintenance of drains, rivers, and outlet pipes, all this is plain to see, when the flood waters recede. Unfortunately in an age of cuts the save money now and nor thinking of the "what if" has caused unnecessary flooding.
As I understand various drains etc. are the responsibility of either Council, local water company or in some cases, land owners in regards to ditches.
There was a big flood near my mum's house once and she phoned the Council and they said, 'Have a look on the drain cover, it sometimes says the Council name on it or a water company'. My mum said, 'OK, I'll just don snorkel, mask and a waterproof torch and have a look!'. lol!
Turtlebay
says...
10:26am Sat 22 Dec 12
Case in point was yesterday afternoon between Bashley caravan Park and Bashley roundabout. Two big Road Closed signs up outside the caravan park but the road was open the other way!
Turtlebay
says...
10:30am Sat 22 Dec 12
The Renegade Master
says...
10:38am Sat 22 Dec 12
mikeymagic2
says...
10:38am Sat 22 Dec 12
Hobad1 wrote:Possibly the most ridiculous comment I've read on this site. Hopefully one day someone will as you say "man up" whilst you are physically highlighting something. And no, I don't have either a Porsche or a BMW.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
Arthur Maureen
says...
11:11am Sat 22 Dec 12
EGHH
says...
11:20am Sat 22 Dec 12
Lord Spring
says...
11:27am Sat 22 Dec 12
I have only ever seen one driver who could handle rain Michael Schumacher in Spain 1996 and it was not on the plains
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
11:49am Sat 22 Dec 12
The Renegade Master wrote:I've got an ark welder you can borrow.
I'm currently building an ark.
Justin666
says...
12:41pm Sat 22 Dec 12
I would suggest if anybody wishes to demontrate their cars' waterproofing capacities they drive into the sea and not bother the rescue services. This might clear the roads a little.
nosuchluck54
says...
1:17pm Sat 22 Dec 12
rayc wrote:Just out of personal interest as you seem to know a lot of details about Ians death apart from the spelling of his surname would you be a relation by any chance?
It can have serious consequences. Dorset Police Inspector Ian Tomer was killed in 2004 when his patrol car turned over on the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas in West Dorset after hitting standing water.
It turned out that the drainage system hadn't been cleaned out. His widow was awared £225,000 in agreed damages for his death..
lindiann
says...
3:00pm Sat 22 Dec 12
The Renegade Master
says...
3:36pm Sat 22 Dec 12
The Liberal
says...
5:22pm Sat 22 Dec 12
outlawselfinterest wrote:Totally agree. If people ignore the warning signs and end up needing to be rescued, they should at least be charged the cost of the rescue operation.
Not just a Porsche! It baffles me why the Fire Brigade and Police have to turn out to deal with morons who drive through ANY ford now. They should be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention!
Even those who drive fast through water - look at the picture of the Land Rover in your second picture - will soak anyone nearby. Is it really so much fun?
Go the long way round if you really must travel. But if it's only inconvenient, stay at home or at the office and be patient.
The emergency services have better things to do with their time.
rayc
says...
6:22pm Sat 22 Dec 12
nosuchluck54 wrote:Very sorry for spelling the surname incorrectly. Everything I posted is freely available on the internet just google 'Inspector Ian Toomer Dorset Police'
rayc wrote:Just out of personal interest as you seem to know a lot of details about Ians death apart from the spelling of his surname would you be a relation by any chance?
It can have serious consequences. Dorset Police Inspector Ian Tomer was killed in 2004 when his patrol car turned over on the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas in West Dorset after hitting standing water.
It turned out that the drainage system hadn't been cleaned out. His widow was awared £225,000 in agreed damages for his death..
scrumpyjack
says...
7:02pm Sat 22 Dec 12
mikeymagic2 wrote:I thought the same.
Hobad1 wrote:Possibly the most ridiculous comment I've read on this site. Hopefully one day someone will as you say "man up" whilst you are physically highlighting something. And no, I don't have either a Porsche or a BMW.pauls55 wrote: Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
ragj195
says...
10:37pm Sat 22 Dec 12
Hobad1 wrote:Please enlighten us. Is it just Porsche and BMW drivers that you like to physically highlight the errors of their ways forcing them to "hide behind their central locking and electric windows" or do the rest of us have to put up with you also? Next time your pride takes a dent take a deep breath and grow up.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
News reader
says...
9:03am Sun 23 Dec 12
I have horses and other livestock which I have to attend to each day, twice a day. I do have a 4x4 which I use and have had to drive through the floods, which out in the sticks are worse than in the towns themselves.
I also have a small car a KA, which I use as the Land Rover is very inefficient for fuel. Would I try and go through floodwater in this? A definite no!
With the responsibility for animals, you do have to either drive or walk through the floodwater. Not pleasant but essential.
Jimbo089
says...
10:58am Sun 23 Dec 12
portia6
says...
5:03pm Sun 23 Dec 12
mikeymagic2 wrote:Porsche or a mini, don't have either
Hobad1 wrote:Possibly the most ridiculous comment I've read on this site. Hopefully one day someone will as you say "man up" whilst you are physically highlighting something. And no, I don't have either a Porsche or a BMW.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
so will just get my canoe out!
portia6
says...
5:07pm Sun 23 Dec 12
mikeymagic2 wrote:Don't have a Porsche so will get out
Hobad1 wrote:Possibly the most ridiculous comment I've read on this site. Hopefully one day someone will as you say "man up" whilst you are physically highlighting something. And no, I don't have either a Porsche or a BMW.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
the yacht instead and sail away!
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
8:33pm Sun 23 Dec 12
skydriver
says...
12:11pm Mon 24 Dec 12
skydriver
says...
12:16pm Mon 24 Dec 12
jeebuscripes
says...
2:18pm Mon 24 Dec 12
Hobad1 wrote:The offensive homophobic comments in your post undermine anything you might say.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
Add that to your apparent tales of physical aggression.
Asking people to man up too. Definite homo-erotic behaviour going on in your vehicle.
ragj195
says...
11:11pm Mon 24 Dec 12
Arthur Maureen wrote:Ahh that explains it. Only a real man would drive a Bedford Rascal, unlike those BMW/Porsche driving "poofs".
Hobad 1 drives a bedford rascal far too fast, fact.
Hobad1
says...
9:09pm Fri 28 Dec 12
ragj195 wrote:**** right i drive a bedford...and proud of it too. Real man's car. Unlike those poofs that drive porsches or bmws.
Arthur Maureen wrote:Ahh that explains it. Only a real man would drive a Bedford Rascal, unlike those BMW/Porsche driving "poofs".
Hobad 1 drives a bedford rascal far too fast, fact.
Hobad1
says...
9:17pm Fri 28 Dec 12
mikeymagic2 wrote:No-ones done it yet. Tho it's only been bmw and porsches driver i've ever had to highlight the errors of their ways to. Surprise surprise they try to drive off very fast and don't even engage in conversation. Strange that as they seem very bold when driving and p!$$!ng every other driver off, but when stuck at traffic lights and confronted, they seem to go back into their shell and not even acknowledge the agrievement of other drivers. Would you care to explain ?
Hobad1 wrote:Possibly the most ridiculous comment I've read on this site. Hopefully one day someone will as you say "man up" whilst you are physically highlighting something. And no, I don't have either a Porsche or a BMW.
pauls55 wrote:Not strange but funny :) Porsche owners....almost as bad as bmw owners. All of them are tw@ts who think they own the road. But when challenged for thinking they own the road, they quickly hide behind their central locking and electric windows and try to get away as quick as possible so that we mere mortals cannot physically highlight the error of their ways. Porsche/BMW drivers....bunch of poofs. Man up.
Isn't it strange how any sympathy for the car owners who willingly drove straight into the ford soon vanishes with the knowledge it was a Porsche?
stalisman says...
11:10am Fri 21 Dec 12