CALLS are being made to ensure a busy road in Christchurch does not become flooded during this winter.

Extensive work has been carried out on Stony Lane in Burton earlier this year to widen a footpath and clear ditches to try and prevent flooding.

Last winter, the road was closed for several weeks due to flooding.

Now, ward councillor Colin Jamieson is calling for a blocked culvert to be cleared and ditch built to ensure the Clockhouse Stream can flow freely.

He said: “Burton Parish Council has worked extensively with ward councillors and Dorset County Council to improve access under the bridge at Stony Lane.

“Part of this work included the reinstatement of the drainage system that had been poorly maintained for many years.

“The work is largely complete, but in order for the water to be effectively removed, the ditch from Stony Lane to the Clockhouse Stream needs to be reinstated and the culvert under the railway line needs to be cleared allowing the Clockhouse Stream to flow effectively.”

The work was discussed last week at a meeting called by Cllr Jamieson, who is also the Dorset County representative on the Wessex Flood Committee.

He added: “It is hoped that having identified the problem, the relevant partners who need to undertake the work will be asked to carry it out.

“Dorset County Council and highways have done an exemplary piece of work in this area with local residents and the parish council most complimentary in their praise for what has been done.

“In order to set off the entrance to the village from the south to its full potential would be the replacement of the old and vandalised direction sign.

“I urge Dorset County Council to replace this sign as soon as possible.”