Road to be raised for village cut off by floods

Michael Hirschl said he welcomed the work

A village in Nottinghamshire that became cut off by major flooding is to get a raised access road.

Hawton near Newark, was effectively turned into an island during Storm Henk in January.

Now planners have agreed to modify the Southern Link Road being built nearby to ensure the village is protected.

It means a stretch close to the village junction will be raised with embankments on either side to maintain access if flooding returns.

Storm Henk brought major flooding to Hawton

The village is considered high risk due to its closeness to the River Devon, Middle Beck and Car Dyke, which all feed into the Trent.

Michael Hirschl, who had lived there for about two years when the floods hit, said he was "a little nervous" about what would happen in an emergency with his 85-year-old mother-in-law living with his family.

"It felt really weird because it really felt like Hawton was an Island," he said.

"We've had flooding before when maybe one road was unpassable or just had a couple inches of water coming over the road.

"But this time it felt really strange and quite threatening so we were watching it on a daily basis, and on a WhatsApp group with the village, making sure everyone was OK as it came closer and closer."

Mr Hirschl added he felt "confident" about the flood alleviation work.

Mary Swindles hopes the new road will have a positive impact on the village

Ann Sowerby, 81, has lived in Hawton since 1972 said flooding had never previously threatened housing but things were becoming "worrying".

"We were cut off three times this last winter all the roads were flooded - it was possible for big vehicles to get out but I didn't want to risk it," she said.

"It wasn't difficult as it was for a short time and I don't have to go out, but it is just worrying [thinking] about it getting worse."

Another resident, Mary Swindles, welcomed the prospect of a higher access road.

"I think it's going to be better for the village because we are getting a new road surface and a new footpath, and I'm hoping it's not going to flood anymore," she said.

Work is currently under way on the Southern Link Road, a three-mile (5km) stretch of highway connecting the A1 at Balderton to the A46 at Farndon, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Newark and Sherwood District Council recently approved the modifications, with the project being delivered in stages by developer Urban and Civic.

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