Precautions being taken at Basingstoke Canal

27/02/2010 12:00:00

Hampshire County Council is putting in place a number of precautionary measures in light of the heavy rain forecast for the area on Sunday 28 February and the condition of part of the embankment of the Basingstoke Canal.

This is due to the deterioration of a section of the West Hart Embankment near Crookham Village. This combined with the severe rain forecast for the weekend has raised concerns over the structure of the embankment and the need to undertake precautionary measures to minimise risk in advance of proposed maintenance works.

While the County Council has taken action to prevent a breach of the canal bank there is a slight possibility of this occuring.

Consequently the following steps are being taken by Hampshire County Council:

Public footpaths in the vicinity of the vulnerable area have been closed

The canal is to be closed temporarily and water levels lowered

Close monitoring of this section of the canal will take place over the weekend and next week

Steps are being taken to minimise the potential impact of prolonged rainfall on this section of the canal and embankment prior to the implementation of a longer term engineering solution.

Community Safety Officers are advising local residents of the actions they should be prepared to take to protect their properties should flooding become an eventuality.

Canal users and key contacts are being notified of the proposed closure requirement.

Local residents are advised to tune in to local radio for further information or visit www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre

The following advice is for households at risk of flooding

Find out how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.

Move cars, pets, food, valuables and important documents to safety, for example to high levels.

Bring indoors items which may cause damage or be damaged.

Ensure you have a sufficient supply of drinking water in the house as main water supplies may become contaminated through widespread flooding.

Go in, stay in, tune in – regularly check the local radio, TV news, and newspapers for the latest information from the emergency services and [local councils].

You can further help yourself by preparing a flood kit of essential items:

• Copies of your home insurance documents

• A torch with spare batteries

• A wind-up or battery radio

• Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets

• A first aid kit and prescription medication

• Bottled water and non-perishable food

• List of important contact numbers

Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre For media enquiries please contact: Kate Ball, Head of Media Communications Corporate Communications Team Tel: 01962 845626 Email: kate.ball@hants.gov.uk

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