RESIDENTS are being asked to clear ditches on their own land to help prevent localised flooding this winter.

Since April, Hampshire County Council has cleared over 60,000 gullies, 4,600 catchpits and has completed 22 major highways drainage schemes to help prevent localised flooding.

The council spends £2million a year maintaining 900 kilometres of highway drains and more than 200,000 roadside gullies but the authority has warned there are many gullies and watercourses on private land which can become blocked.

These blockages can often lead to flooding on local roads after heavy rainfall.

Residents are also being asked to ensure that piped sections of watercourses that lie under driveways are kept clear as it is these restricted locations that are often the most vulnerable to flooding and need the most attention.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for economy, transport and environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: “We can’t prevent flooding completely but there is a lot that we can all do to reduce the impact on our neighbourhoods.

“I am asking local residents if they can regularly check ditches and watercourses on their own land to make sure they are clear of leaves, vegetation and other debris and not blocked up by grass cutting or other rubbish.”

For more information, visit hants.gov.uk/flooding.