Fareham road first in Hampshire to have new urban drainage to reduce storm overflows

Construction is now finished on Hampshire’s first roadside SuDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System), as part of wider plans to reduce storm overflows.

The Westborn Road project in Fareham, is part of Southern Water’s ambitious £1.5 billion Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, with £170m being spent to reduce storm overflows in the Portsmouth catchment which includes Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Waterlooville and Hayling Island.

The roadside SuDS partnership was delivered between Southern Water and Hampshire County Council, combining expertise to bring innovative drainage solutions into communities.

SuDS – or sustainable drainage systems – are designed to manage rainfall in a more natural way. Instead of rainwater flowing quickly into drains and sewers, SuDS slow the water down and allow it to soak into the ground or be stored temporarily.

This in turn helps reduce pressure on the sewer network, particularly during heavy rainfall, and lowers the risk of storm overflows into rivers and the sea.

The Westborn Road scheme helps to capture and manage rainwater before it reaches the sewer system, helping to make the area more resilient to extreme weather.

Harry Buckingham, SuDS Lead at Southern Water, said: "We're delighted to have completed Hampshire's first roadside SuDS scheme. The project has been shaped by valuable feedback from local residents, helping us deliver a scheme that works for both the community and the environment.

"This achievement would not have been possible without the strong partnership and support of Hampshire County Council, and we're grateful for their collaboration throughout the project.

"As the first scheme of its kind in the county, it marks an important step towards reducing the amount of surface water entering our network, helping to reduce storm overflows while creating a more sustainable and resilient drainage system for the future."

Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said:

“The completion of this Southern Water-funded trial marks an important milestone in testing a new approach to managing surface water and reducing pressure on the drainage network.

“Delivered by Hampshire County Council on Southern Water’s behalf, the scheme is designed to help lower flood risk and reduce the likelihood of sewer overflows following heavy rainfall in areas that have historically experienced these challenges.

“By creating natural green spaces that can capture and store rainwater, the project demonstrates how innovative infrastructure can help communities become more resilient to changing weather patterns.”