Latest news with #HampshireCountyCouncil
BBC News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Coroner links blocked drains to fatal King Worthy crash
A motorist died after skidding on a flooded road that had blocked drains and a temporary flood warning sign that had been there for five years, a coroner has Scott, 25, from Kings Worthy, Hampshire, was pronounced dead at the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the A33 near Winchester in July a report sent to Hampshire County Council and National Highways, coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said more regular maintenance might have cleared the two authorities said they were considering their responses. Mr Scott was driving southbound at about 21:45 BST on 5 July when he hit standing water near the Cart and Horses Vauxhall Corsa crossed the central reservation and collided with an oncoming Ford Ranger truck, the coroner said. In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, she said: "On examination it was observed that two of the drains to the nearside of the southbound lane were compacted with vegetation, resulting in little or no surface drainage."This is despite annual scheduled maintenance for year 2023/2024 taking place on 19th May 2023 and 15th November 2023."The forensic examiner concluded that the standing water was a contributory factor in the collision."Ms Rhodes-Kemp questioned why only a temporary sign was in place for so added: "Whilst the precise cause of the flooding is unknown, a more regular maintenance schedule may have prevented the build-up of vegetation within the gullies."Hampshire County Council and National Highways have until 18 September to respond to the a statement, the council said: "We are terribly saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mr Scott's loved ones at this extremely difficult time."We are considering our response to the coroner's report and are unable to comment any further while this process is ongoing."National Highways said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of James Scott following this tragic incident."We will review the coroner's report and respond within the deadline." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
National Highways and council warned over flood-prone road after fatal crash
A coroner has warned National Highways and a county council about providing 'more regular maintenance' for a flood-prone A road after a man died in a crash. James Scott, 25, lost control of his car after driving through an area of standing water on the A33 southbound near Kings Worthy, Hampshire, on the evening of July 5 last year. The car then turned sideways and collided with another car travelling the other way after it crossed into the opposite carriageway. Mr Scott sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. An inquest into his death heard that two of the drains by the southbound lane were compacted with vegetation that caused 'little or no surface drainage' from the road, despite the area being a known flood risk for several years. Annual scheduled maintenance which included clearing gullies and catch pits on either side of the A33 had taken place in May and November 2023. A temporary 'Flood' warning sign was located some eight metres north of the flooding on the grass verge, but had been in that location for about five years. Ownership of the sign is debated between National Highways and Hampshire County Council. In a prevention of future deaths report sent to both organisations, Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, said: 'Whilst the precise cause of the flooding is unknown, a more regular maintenance schedule may have prevented the build-up of vegetation within the gullies and therefore assisted in the drainage of the heavy rainfall experienced that day, thus reducing the amount of surface water present on the road.' The coroner said the fact that only a temporary sign was being used by the road when the area was known for years to be a flood risk was a matter of concern. A forensic examiner concluded the standing water on the road was a contributory factor in the crash and in Mr Scott's death. Copies of the report were sent by the coroner to the chief executives of both National Highways and Hampshire County Council, with both parties compelled to respond by September 18. Ms Rhodes-Kemp added: 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.' A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: 'We are terribly saddened by this tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Mr Scott's loved ones at this extremely difficult time. 'We are considering our response to the coroner's report and are unable to comment any further while this process is ongoing.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
National Highways and council warned over flood-prone road after fatal crash
A coroner has warned National Highways and a county council about providing 'more regular maintenance' for a flood-prone A road after a man died in a crash. James Scott, 25, lost control of his car after driving through an area of standing water on the A33 southbound near Kings Worthy, Hampshire, on the evening of July 5 last year. The car then turned sideways and collided with another car travelling the other way after it crossed into the opposite carriageway. Mr Scott sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. An inquest into his death heard that two of the drains by the southbound lane were compacted with vegetation that caused 'little or no surface drainage' from the road, despite the area being a known flood risk for several years. Annual scheduled maintenance which included clearing gullies and catch pits on either side of the A33 had taken place in May and November 2023. A temporary 'Flood' warning sign was located some eight metres north of the flooding on the grass verge, but had been in that location for about five years. Ownership of the sign is debated between National Highways and Hampshire County Council. In a prevention of future deaths report sent to both organisations, Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, said: 'Whilst the precise cause of the flooding is unknown, a more regular maintenance schedule may have prevented the build-up of vegetation within the gullies and therefore assisted in the drainage of the heavy rainfall experienced that day, thus reducing the amount of surface water present on the road.' The coroner said the fact that only a temporary sign was being used by the road when the area was known for years to be a flood risk was a matter of concern. A forensic examiner concluded the standing water on the road was a contributory factor in the crash and in Mr Scott's death. Copies of the report were sent by the coroner to the chief executives of both National Highways and Hampshire County Council, with both parties compelled to respond by September 18. Ms Rhodes-Kemp added: 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.' National Highways and Hampshire County Council have been approached for comment.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Local council reorganisation: alternative suggestion put forward
An alternative idea for how the county of Hampshire could be carved up for new unitary councils has been put 14 councils in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are to be scrapped and new authorities created under local government reorganisation of the 14 councils are consulting on plans for five new councils but the leaders of Hampshire county and East Hampshire have backed an alternative model which sees the mainland split into three and the Isle of Wight stays alone. Cllr Nick Adams-King, leader of Hampshire county, said it was the only way to make sure "the new councils were resilient and sustainable and don't go bust within a short amount of time". Under this plan, there is a South East council including Portsmouth, Fareham, Gosport and Isle of Wight stays alone - both of those are the same as the alternative difference is with the north and mid council which includes Basingstoke, Hart, Rushmoor and South East council merges Southampton with Eastleigh, the New Forest and Test can read about the other consultation here - people can respond to both. A consultation launched on Monday for people to have their say on this plan, which Hampshire say will save £50m. "I admit it is confusing and I'm sorry that is the case," said Mr Adams-King, "but it's really important for people to tell us what they value as Hampshire county council provide 85% of services in the county". He added the solution the councils come up with has to make sure the most vulnerable people are protected and looked after even though "change is coming". However there is opposition to the plans amongst other local authorities.A joint statement has been published by Eastleigh Borough Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City said: "Hampshire County Council has published its case for a future of only three, large-scale, councils across the county."Their proposal risks creating remote, oversized councils, cut off from the places and people they serve. Our communities deserve better."Cllr Martin, Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: "I believe that localism is a crucial factor in any proposed change, helping to create a sense of home and belonging within the new council areas."So, while the proposed south-east cluster is reasonable, the same cannot be said for the north which ranges from Basingstoke to Rowlands Castle, or the south-west with areas as disparate as New Milton, Southampton and Andover." Hampshire's councils are being told by central government to happening alongside a devolution bid for a mayoral combined authority which is being supported by Hampshire county, Portsmouth city, Southampton city and Isle of Wight MCCA (Mayoral County Combined Authority) is set to come into operation in May government reorganisation will take another year. Each council needs to submit its plan for local government reorganisation by 26 September 2025. The government will then assess the options, put two or three out for public consultation and then make a final new councils would come into operation in May 2027. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fareham office refurbishment scrapped by Hampshire County Council
Plans for a £2.5m refurbishment of an office block have been scrapped by a County Council said, following a review, the Fareham Parkway offices on Wickham Road were deemed "surplus to requirements".The offices were purchased by the council in 2016 and have since been home to the multi-agency safeguarding hub and adult health and care money saved will be used on other council buildings. The refurbishment was approved in 2022, following increased use by council project aimed to refurbish toilets and welfare facilities, replace carpets, improve thermal insulation, install a new flat roof, update the fire alarm system, and improve building in a cabinet meeting last week, the project was removed from the capital programme as part of the council's strategy to reduce the number of buildings it strategy was initially approved in 2024 and aims to improve the efficient use of the council's council said the refurbishment would not go ahead and staff and services provided would be relocated and "address the future of the building".It confirmed that the £2.5m will be reinvested into adaptation works on other council council's strategy aims to adapt its buildings to optimise their use - including transforming libraries to provide more public services and creating drop-in office spaces for staff. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
