DISRUPTION continued in the New Forest yesterday after what one councillor has dubbed the worst flooding in some 15 years.

The arrival of the tail end of Storm Jonas saw trains cancelled and roads closed leading to chaos for commuters and residents alike, particularly in the areas of Brockenhurst, Sway and Sopley.

Storm Gertrude is set to bring more heavy rain and strong winds today. 

Colin Wise, New Forest district councillor for Sway and Boldre, said he had been prevented from entering Pilley village on Wednesday night by water overflowing Boldre bridge.

“It was remarkable when you consider how low the water level is normally,” he said.

"There was a car stuck in the water in the middle of the bridge, and I understand there was a problem with the sewers in Pilley itself.

“I remember the water banking at the toll bridge around Christmas time in, I think, 1999, and this was as bad as that.

“Fortunately I don’t think any homes have flooded.”

Council leader Barry Rickman said yesterday: “I have been out and about and have been surprised and pleased to see how far the water has gone down.”

Several waterlogged forest roads remained closed yesterday - Burley Road between Meerut Road and Armstrong Road, Brockenhurst, Balmer Lawn Road in Brockenhurst, the A326 Marchwood bypass and Silver Street in Sway.

An Environment Agency flood alert was in place for the River Lymington.

Ominously, the agency’s assessment yesterday said the river would “rise rapidly if impacted by any further rainfall over the next few days”. An alert is also in place for the River Avon between Ringwood and Christchurch.

Trains through Brockenhurst were still facing flood-related delays yesterday morning but the situation was mostly resolved by the afternoon.