DORSET Council has approved a significant package of investment to strengthen the county’s highways against the growing threat of flooding, committing up to an additional £5.25 million to repairs and long-term resilience.

Announced at yesterday’s full council meeting (February 10), the measures include multi-million-pound capital flood resilience fund to address known flooding hotspots and repair storm-damaged infrastructure, alongside £250,000 to establish a dedicated gully cleaning crew.

The new team will focus on clearing roadside gullies overwhelmed by recent storms, helping water drain more effectively during heavy rainfall.

As a capital fund, the £5 million allocation will be released in phases, supporting schemes as they are designed and delivered rather than concentrated within a single financial year.

While the council acknowledges the investment will not prevent river or groundwater flooding, it says it will improve highway drainage performance in typical conditions and accelerate recovery after storms.

Formal Section 19 flood investigations are now being opened under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

These inquiries will examine recent flooding events, clarify agency responsibilities and review responses.

A broader investigation will also be undertaken to ensure transparency and define next steps.

Cabinet member for finance and capital strategy Cllr Simon Clifford.

Cabinet member for finance and capital strategy Cllr Simon Clifford said: “This is practical investment residents will see and feel.

“The package makes up to an extra £5.25m available to our highways team for urgent repairs and prevention.

“The £5m flood resilience fund is capital, so it will begin funding schemes as they are designed and delivered – getting us to the worst hit locations first and strengthening them for future storms.

“Alongside that, a new gully cleaning crew will clear debris from recent storms and step up prevention so heavy rain is less likely to cause disruption. Taken together, this brings total funds available for our highways to just under £50m – a record amount for Dorset.

“We’ll keep working with the Environment Agency on main river issues while we focus council resources on surface water and groundwater. Our teams have gone above and beyond in tough conditions – this funding backs them to keep Dorset moving.”

The programme will prioritise drainage upgrades, culvert repairs and surface treatments in repeatedly affected areas, running alongside major schemes including works at Dinah’s Hollow near Shaftesbury and coastal protection projects in Lyme Regis, West Bay and Swanage.

The highways resilience programme begins immediately, forming part of the council’s wider £482.6 million budget for 2026/27, approved the same meeting.