Stronger preventative measures to be introduced at notorious Headley Ford

Motorists still risking lives despite 2012 death

MOTORISTS risking their lives attempting to cross a notorious ford on the Hampshire/Berkshire border will discover their way barred by a gate in future.

Stronger preventative measures are set to be introduced later this year at Headley Ford, Thornford Road, Hampshire County Council this week revealed, including a ban on motorists (except tractors) crossing the ford, likely to come into effect from the autumn. Access for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians will remain.

The ford, which straddles the Hampshire/Berkshire border, has already claimed one life, four years ago.

In 2012, following flash floods, Middlesex judge Jonathan Gammon was swept away and drowned at the ford after he followed satnav instructions along Thornford Road, which goes through the ford and across the county border.

The ford was closed after the inquest into Mr Gammon’s death, in October 2012, and remains shut to traffic, except for local access, after a prohibition of driving order was made by the county council in December 2014.

However, with no physical barriers at either side of the ford, and despite increased warning signs at the approach, motorists have continued to chance driving through the River Enborne at the ford.

Now, and following many recent emergency calls to stranded vehicles – including one embarrassed driver found in just 18 inches of water on June 20 after also following satnav instructions – the county council has revealed new plans for the ford.

In a recent statement, Rob Humby, the county council’s executive member for environment and transport (Con Bishops Waltham), said the current “experimental” closure runs until October.

After consulting with West Berkshire Council, villagers and local landowners, the council is then to implement a permanent scheme in two parts, including a traffic regulation order banning non-agricultural vehicles from accessing the ford.

The plans also include installing a turning head on either side of the ford, forcing drivers to get out of their vehicles to operate a gate.

“Signing will be implemented either side of the ford to show a prohibition of driving, except for tractors, and will be accompanied by reflective bollards, kerbing and a change in road surface as well as the gate, currently locked open in position, with a warning sign about fast flowing water mounted upon it,” said Mr Humby.

“Access for walkers, horseriders and cyclists will still be possible once the new measures are in place.”

Firefighters have warned drivers not to attempt to cross fords and expressed concerns at the level of emergency resources wasted responding to incidents involving motorists stranded in a few inches of water. The diversion, they point out, puts lives at risk elsewhere.