Flooding issues in Wiltshire (January 2023)

Wiltshire Council is advising that due to recent heavy rainfall, there are a number of areas in Wiltshire that are flooded or at risk of flooding.

As of 9am on Friday 27 January, no roads are closed because of flooding. However, the following roads are passable with care:

• Water Ditchampton, Wilton
• Lower Britford Road
• Mill Hill, Milford

Flood alerts are in place at:

• River Bourne and tributaries 
• River Wylye and tributaries 
• River Kennet and tributaries, Berwick Bassett down to Newbury 
• Salisbury Plain - Groundwater flooding 

Further flood warnings have been issued for:

• River Till - Groundwater flooding

This information may change and there may be further flood warnings over the coming days. For the full list of flood warnings, please check for flooding in England (opens new window).

To stay up to date with road closures in Wiltshire, people should follow Wiltshire Council's social media channels at www.twitter.com/wiltscouncil (opens new window) and www.facebook.com/WiltshireCouncil (opens new window).

Please also sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings at Sign up for flood warnings (opens new window) and be aware of what to do in the event of flooding emergencies at What to do in a flood - Check for flooding (opens new window).

Wiltshire has an underlying bed rock of chalk which makes it more susceptible to groundwater flooding. Areas such as Salisbury Plain and Cranbourne Chase are at risk of groundwater flooding. Groundwater flooding can damage property and make access to properties challenging for a prolonged period, so it is important that people are prepared.

To help mitigate the impact of flooding in Wiltshire, Wiltshire Council is working closely with the Environment Agency, water companies, and town and parish councils through its network of flood wardens to ensure communities are as resilient as possible, and to help them prepare effectively.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene and Flooding, said: We have had a significant rainfall already this winter which is resulting in a number of road closures and flood alerts. With further prolonged periods of heavy rainfall forecast we may see the Environment Agency issue further river or groundwater flood alerts across the county.

We would advise all residents to sign up for the Environment Agency's flood alerts and know what to do in the event of flooding emergencies. Residents can also use our MyWilts app to report weather emergencies to us.

To find a parish's flood plan, people should search their parish council's website.