The Damaged Culvert
27th March 2026
You may be aware that the Parish Council have pressing Highways continually over many months to complete the repairs to the culvert in Hartley Lane near the A33. I undernote a copy of the contents on an email received from Highways which clarifies the latest position.
Dear Mr Van Grutten,
Enquiry Ref. 21876462. Damage to the culvert. Hartley Lane, (Elliotts Corner) opposite Rose Cottage, Hartley Wespall.
Thank you for your email received on the 2nd March 2026 concerning the damage to the culvert opposite Rose Cottage at Elliotts Corner.
The culvert was installed partially above ground level many years ago and has been subject to occasional overriding by large vehicles and farm machinery. During the installation of the cable associated with the Solar Farm on Church Lane I was unable to prove through evidence that damage to the culvert was directly associated with the works.
It therefore falls to the County Council to attend to the culvert and carryout a repair.
I can confirm that a funding submission was made to the County Council’s planned maintenance team in 2025 in the expectation that repairs to the culvert will be carried out as part of a future program. Drainage sites are reviewed annually and assessed against similar sites across the County. The limited funding is however prioritised where there is internal flooding to dwelling spaces or where flood risk exists on the high-speed road network and consequently, I am not currently able to advise you when the culvert might be repaired.
I am aware that there is traffic management guarding the exposed section of the culvert and by copy of this email I will ask that an officer of the County Council inspects the site to ensure that it is in a safe condition.
I realise that the Parish Council will be disappointed by the content of this email however please be assured of the County Council’s best efforts in resolving this issue.
Yours sincerely
James Holt
Assistant Highway Manager – North
Highways Delivery
Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
Web: www.hants.gov.uk/roads
Dear Mr Van Grutten,
Enquiry Ref. 21876462. Damage to the culvert. Hartley Lane, (Elliotts Corner) opposite Rose Cottage, Hartley Wespall.
Thank you for your email received on the 2nd March 2026 concerning the damage to the culvert opposite Rose Cottage at Elliotts Corner.
The culvert was installed partially above ground level many years ago and has been subject to occasional overriding by large vehicles and farm machinery. During the installation of the cable associated with the Solar Farm on Church Lane I was unable to prove through evidence that damage to the culvert was directly associated with the works.
It therefore falls to the County Council to attend to the culvert and carryout a repair.
I can confirm that a funding submission was made to the County Council’s planned maintenance team in 2025 in the expectation that repairs to the culvert will be carried out as part of a future program. Drainage sites are reviewed annually and assessed against similar sites across the County. The limited funding is however prioritised where there is internal flooding to dwelling spaces or where flood risk exists on the high-speed road network and consequently, I am not currently able to advise you when the culvert might be repaired.
I am aware that there is traffic management guarding the exposed section of the culvert and by copy of this email I will ask that an officer of the County Council inspects the site to ensure that it is in a safe condition.
I realise that the Parish Council will be disappointed by the content of this email however please be assured of the County Council’s best efforts in resolving this issue.
Yours sincerely
James Holt
Assistant Highway Manager – North
Highways Delivery
Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
Web: www.hants.gov.uk/roads