Flooding damages Stinsford to Lower Bockhampton river path

As previously reported, the path between Stinsford and Lower Bockhampton was repaired in mid-Septemeber after being damaged by flooding from heavy rainfall when the River Frome burst its banks over the past few years.

The path was prone to flooding (Image: George Armstrong) A spokesperson for Dorset Council said that steel beams and oak were used to reinforce the banks, which was then backfilled with stone and raised above the river. The spokesperson said the design of repairs will allow peak water flows to breach the banks without washing material away.

The repaired pathway in September (Image: George Armstrong) Described in Stinsford Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan as a ‘heritage asset,’ the route was often used by Thomas Hardy, who attended the school in Lower Bockhampton as a young boy.

Caroline Bascombe, 52, from Dorchester has raised concerns over the newly repaired river path as she regularly uses the path as a dog walker.

She said: “I saw it being repaired and I remember how relieved I was feeling to see it being fixed because for the past two years you needed wellies to cross the path.

Sediment from the path washed into the river following flooding (Image: Caroline Bascombe) “But then it rained torrentially and all the gravel has got washed away again, and is starting to settle as a sediment and I just thought it’s not going to last.

“The weather wasn’t even that bad, and we are yet to have winter weather affect the area.

Sediment from the path washed into the river following flooding (Image: Caroline Bascombe) “The woodworking is holding, but the path needs to be concrete. It’s a historically recognised path and it needs to be protected as it’s a lovely walk- ideal for hot days in the evening.”

Originally, records show that the path goes back to 1778, built by the owner of Kingston Maurward, John Pitt, so villagers would avoid passing through the estate.

Hardy drew inspiration from this walkway in his literature, referencing it in Under the Greenwood Tree. It is the path upon which the reverend of Mellstock meets Dick Dewey, before he tears up a letter to Fancy Day to cast into the river at Gray’s Bridge.

Miss Bascombe added that she would like to see the upkeep of the path in the possession of nearby Kingston Maurward College.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "The path was overtopped by a large flooding event last week, and withstood most of the resulting pressure.

"There is a minor amount of sediment wash, and a negligible amount of finer material was disturbed. We have a small area to refill, and this work is due to commence shortly.”