Honorary Alderman Michael Woodhall, who is the former deputy leader and chairman of Hampshire County Council, took matters into his own hands during the recent bad weather.
He worked to alleviate flooding on the Stockbridge to Houghton road, where more than 75 metres of water, up to 0.5 metres deep, had been covering three-quarters of the carriageway.
The flooding had also contributed to several potholes up to 30cm deep.
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Honorary Alderman Michael Woodhall helped alleviate flooding on the Stockbridge to Houghton road (Image: Supplied) Mr Woodhall, 85, climbed over a barbed wire fence to dig out an overgrown natural gulley leading from the highway into an adjoining copse.
Within minutes, the surface water was sluicing away, eventually reducing the flooding by 50 per cent.
Longstock Parish Council had reportedly informed Hampshire County Council of the road defect at least three weeks ago, but no action had been taken.
Mr Woodhall, who is familiar with local government spending, said he is aware of the financial restraints imposed on local authorities, which affect highway maintenance.
He said: “We live in a changing world.”
He pointed out that during his time in charge at Hampshire County Council, a single phone call to highway engineers would have been enough to prompt immediate action.