Major operation to bolster Test flood defences

A major multi agency operation is being carried out to protect an under threat river bank in Romsey in a bid to prevent 300 properties from flooding.

The operation involves laying 40,000 sandbags to bolster the flood defences in the town in the wake of the unprecedented rainfall of recent weeks.

Flows in the River Test are exceptionally high, and 20 properties have already flooded in the town.

Today’s operation involves 45 EA, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and Test Valley Borough Council workers, together with 300 military personnel

It follows an operation last week to lay 100 one tonne gravel bags in the River Itchen at Winchester, which has so far, with the help of High Volume Pumping by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service reduced the risk of the flooding of up to 100 properties in the cathedral city.