The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP brought together the Environment Agency and environmental and emergency planning officers from Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council over Thursday and Friday. Together, they visited three of the most dangerous sites; the Water Lane & Durngate area, the area surrounding St Bedes School, and Springvale Road in King's Worthy.
Steve Brine said: "I have met with a lot of residents in our most badly-hit areas, and I can tell you they are very worried. The teams from Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and the Environment Agency are under huge pressure against the elements but I do think they have played all the cards they have, largely at the correct times."
Steve has been able to direct residents concerns immediately to the team of experts, and has organised some of the sandbags that are desperately needed.
Steve added: "I heard today that over 20,000 sandbags have been deployed across the area, and the most troubling fact for me is that I am told that even if the rain stopped now, it would take three weeks for the water table to return to average levels, and we all know the forecast this weekend.
"I have already asked for Lovedon Lane in Kings Worthy to be closed as it is getting very dangerous, and as darkness sets in the last thing we want is someone getting stuck, or not being able to see the difference between the road and the large ditches.
"I am as reassured as I can be that locally our emergency teams are working strenuously around the clock and doing all they can, but I urge residents to take a look at the Emergency Planning portal below which has extensive information available."
Pictured (top); Steve being briefed by EA officials and Rob Heathcote from Winchester City Council and (below) the team check in with residents in Durngate Terrace.
Emergency contacts ...
If you are worried, or in an emergency over the weekend, simply click here to access support from Emergency Planning
If you prefer to call, you should call 999, ask for POLICE and then ask to be put through to the Hampshire Response Working Team which brings together Highways and Emergency Planning team. You can email [email protected]