VILLAGERS plagued with a persistent puddle that caused traffic hazard in icy weather know what will solve the problem.

The pond at the source of the River Itchen 500 yards away needs draining.

The large puddle appeared last summer on Kilmeston Road, New Cheriton, shortly after contractors Amey relaid the tarmac for the county council.

Residents believe the surfacing has created a mini-dam which prevents the water from flowing to drains.

In the winter it led to a large icy patch that was a danger for both drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

But Michael Curtis, chairman of Kilmeston Parish Council who has lived locally since 1956, says the problem is groundwater and its root cause is the silting of the pond several hundred yards down the road.

Mr Curtis said the pond needed clearing of the silt that has accumulated over decades. That will increase its capacity to hold groundwater.

He said three pipes under Kilmeston Road have also been damaged or blocked.

Mr Curtis said: “The whole thing needs to be reviewed. The pond especially needs dredging.

“I’m trying to get the National Trust at Hinton Ampner House to do it. Their head gardener John Day is a good chap and he cleared the tree by the pond that broke recently.”

Southern Water placed a notice by the puddle spot to say they have investigated and confirm it is groundwater. A spokesman said: “We placed a sign explaining that the problem is being caused by groundwater as we were receiving a number of calls from customers, but the authority with responsibility for developing strategies to deal with groundwater flooding is Hampshire County Council - not the water company - so on this occasion we cannot help further.”

A Hampshire County Council spokeswoman said: “For many years there has been a natural spring at the side of Cheriton Crossroads, New Cheriton which drains onto the road. Hampshire County Council can not move the spring, so manages it as best as possible.

"The spring gives out a small but persistent flow of water and recent resurfacing work was carried out to direct the water away from the centre of the road and to the side, to reduce icy conditions in the winter. Following recent concern, engineers will be visiting the site again, to see if anything else can be done to improve drainage along the side of the road.”