Headley ford likely to be reopened despite man's 2012 death in flash floods

The Headley farming community, whose tractors regularly crossed the ford on the River Enborne, which marks the boundary between Hampshire and Berkshire, was infuriated after a concrete barrier was installed in Thornford Road, on the Hampshire side, following the inquest into the man’s death in October 2012.
The inquest heard that Middlesex judge, 52-year-old Jonathan Gammon, was swept away in flash floods at the ford after the car in which he was a passenger got into difficulties.
The county council had started compiling a shortlist of future options for the ford last April.
At a recent meeting of Ashford Hill with Headley parish council, the chairman Barrie Hiscock said that he and Headley parish councillor David Chamings had met Hampshire County Council’s head of highways (North and East) Adrian Gray to discuss the future of the ford and it looked likely that the ford would be re-opened.
Hampshire County Council proposals affecting the ford would be discussed at the parish council’s meeting in March.
However, Mr Hiscock did say that there were plans to install new signage, including at the West Berkshire side of the ford, and new depth markers.
A solid turning circle was also be installed, enabling vehicles to turn around, rather than attempt the ford if it looked too deep.
After the parish council meeting, county councillor Seán Woodward (Con, Fareham Sarisbury), executive member for economy, transport and environment said that the opening of Headley Ford was still some way off, as formal proposals to open it as an access only route would be presented to Headley parish council at a meeting in March and then, should no objections be raised, a traffic regulation order would have to be applied for.
The exact plans, including the number of signs, their locations and depth markers were still being finalised, but they would be presented by Mr Gray at the meeting, which is to be held on March 10 at 7.30pm at Headley Village Hall.
Farmers in tractors have recently been seen by locals lifting the more easily moveable barrier on the Berkshire side and driving up the steep bank on the opposite side of the ford to bypass the concrete barrier on the Hampshire side.