A RIVER which flows through several north Hampshire villages has been included on a list of those at risk from groundwater flooding.

Hampshire County Council has produced a draft Groundwater Manage-ment Plan (GWMP) to identify and assess the nature and extent of groundwater flooding across the county, and to propose measures to address it.

The Bourne Rivulet, which flows through Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Mary Bourne and Hurstbourne Priors, before joining with the River Test near Tufton, is ranked at number 10 on the list.

The council is seeking views on the draft plan to make sure it is up to date and reflects people’s views and experiences of the risk from groundwater flooding, before it is finalised.

The council would also like to hear the views of residents to see if there are any other reasonable measures which could address, mitigate or reduce the risk of groundwater flooding.

Councillor Seán Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment, said: “Hampshire has a known history of groundwater flooding.

“During the winter of 2000-01, over 100 towns and villages across the county suffered significant flooding, with over 400 properties flooded and significant disruption and damage caused to infrastructure.

“After extensive evaluation and preventative measures being implemen-ted by ourselves, Winchester City Council and the Environment Agency, we are now looking to re-visit these issues in a new Groundwater Management Plan which seeks to provide a more current picture which we can work from.”

All comments on the GWMP should be submitted to the county council no later than 5pm on Friday, December 20. Comments can be emailed to fwm@hants.gov.uk and marked ‘GWMP Comments’.