Road rage at flooded junction in Milford made worse by traffic lights

Roadrage-induced disagreements along Milford Mill Road are one of nearby residents' main concerns as drivers attempt to navigate floodwater in the busy semi-rural area.

Motorists have broken down, blocking access to homes, after their vehicles were damaged and temporary traffic lights were installed to try and alleviate the problem.

But David Lovibond, chair of the Milford Area Preservation Group (MAPG), said these lights have been put in the wrong places and are mistimed, causing "more harm than good".

"The overall frustration is how difficult it is to get anyone at all levels of Wiltshire Council to do anything about it. It’s the devil’s own job to get anything done. There are so many excuses and always a reason for not doing anything," he said.

Residents Jane Humphry and Jacqui Exley told the Journal the traffic situation is currently the worst they've seen it in more than 10 years.Jacqui Exley, David Lovibond and Jane Humphry are fed up with the chaos. (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Exley lived on the road for 14 years, she said: "My concern is all the mud it's creating. It's horrid."

The MAPG has been pressuring the council to clear the water and restrict access as Mr Lovibond claims Mill Road has become the "unofficial east Salisbury bypass".

He is calling on the council to deepen drainage ditches, install a mechanical pump and do more to restrict traffic.

Wiltshire Council said it is impossible to prevent the road from flooding when groundwater levels rise but Mr Lovibond said: "Doing nothing is not an option. We simply can’t tell people that nothing can be done."

Councillor Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for highways and street scene, said she is aware of residents' concerns about the flood zone but said: "It is not possible to prevent flooding when the groundwater levels rise. Recent heavy rain has led to this situation and it is a regularly occurring event.

“Our local highways team have erected temporary traffic signals and flood warning signs to advise motorists and manage traffic movements through the area. We encourage everyone to be patient in navigating through the area."

Cllr Thomas said a tanker will be used to clean out gullies and pipework once water levels drop and that the council is looking into longer-term solutions.

 “With the consent of local landowners, we hope to undertake these works before the end of March but have to be aware of the numerous priorities due to saturated land in multiple locations," she added.

Conservative city councillor Charles McGrath, for Milford, said he was "beyond frustrated" with the "lack of work" done to mitigate flooding which has caused "mayhem".

He added: "Milford Mill Road has seen an 80 per cent increase in traffic volumes in the last 10 years, chiefly because of slow action to improve the A36 Southampton Road.

"While a £20m project to ease congestion on Southampton Road and College Roundabout is now being conducted by National Highways, that is no excuse for Wiltshire to drag their feet and not carry out the mitigation works that were promised."

Milford Mill Road is covered with floodwater. (Image: Newsquest)

Wiltshire Council said its highways team is on hand to assist with gully clearance and that it's investing an extra £333,000 each year until 2024/25 to help prevent flooding in the county.

This money is in addition to the £1.27m annual spend on emptying gullies and it's being spent on an extra combination jet vacuum unit to aid areas most at risk of flooding.

The council said it is also armed with three gully tankers to drain gullies on main roads each year and those on all other roads once every three years.

To report flooding or block gullies, visit wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts or call 0300 456 0100.