The Green Party has been left disappointed after the county council refused to place a traffic order to stop vehicles damaging a river at Droxford in the Meon Valley.

A road running below the water level of a stream or river is often known as a “water splash”. It is a common name for a ford or stretch of wet road in some areas and is sometimes used to describe tidal crossings.

According to Councillor Malcolm Wallace, for two years Hampshire County Council has been investigating concerns raised by local residents and environmental organisations about vehicles using part of Mill Lane, a 200m stretch of the River Meon in Droxford.

The Green Party councillor said that residents had provided evidence of the ongoing impact of vehicles driving up and down the river, harming “this internationally recognised chalk stream,” designated as a county site of importance for nature conservation.

(Image: Contributed)

Cllr Wallace said: “As local county councillors, both Cllr [Patricia] Stallard and I have seen the impact for ourselves, and we are keen that this issue is addressed as soon as possible.

“Therefore, whilst Hampshire Highways investigations continue, will the council put an immediate TRO on the route to stop further damage?”

Councillor Lulu Bowerman, the executive member for highways and waste, said Mill Lane was a “unique” extended ford in use for centuries.

However, Cllr Bowerman said that due to residents’ concerns, the county council commissioned an environmental and ecological survey to establish a “better” understanding of the condition of the riverbed.

Still, the draft report suggested that there are “no major concerns” to the stretch of the river.

Cllr Bowerman said: “As a result of concerns over the occasional use of the U189 Mill Lane Water Splash route by motorised vehicles and potential damage to the River Meon, highways officers commissioned an environmental and ecological survey to establish a better understanding of the condition of the riverbed.

“A draft report has been received, and initial findings suggest that there are no major concerns relating to the stretch of the river in question that would warrant any immediate intervention. Nevertheless, further repeat surveys have been requested this year to allow for a year-on-year comparison of the situation to be made regarding your request for a traffic regulation order.”

Since the comparison and the draft report indicated no impact, the council said that the traffic regulation order (TRO) would not be implemented.

“A TRO to be applied to the road will not be taken forward now. A TRO requires a strict legal process to be followed, which includes the need for public consultation before any decisions can be made regarding implementation.

“Offices are aware from informal discussions that have been held with specialist user groups that there is a high likelihood of objections being raised, which would increase the risk of any TRO application being unsuccessful. This could also potentially jeopardise any future attempts to control access along this route should evidence support such a course of action.”

Addressing the response, Cllr Wallace said that the council’s decision was disappointing as he saw clear evidence of vehicle damage.

Cllr Wallace said: “Disappointing news as both Cllr Stallard and I saw from our visit to the splash river the evidence is clear frankly. You can see where the vehicle wash has damaged the river’s side. There are water bowls further up the river, but there are no water bowls on that stretch of the river. The evidence goes on, and there is a lot of evidence.”

Cllr Bowerman agreed to meet with him, Cllr Stallard, and local representatives to review the next steps and resolve the issue.