'˜Concerns' linger after Littlehampton flood nightmare

RESIDENTS of an area hardest hit by last June's flooding in Littlehampton say they remain anxious they could be forced to relive their nightmare.
Alan and Eileen Thomas remember scenes of chaos in South Terrace last year (T)Alan and Eileen Thomas remember scenes of chaos in South Terrace last year (T)
Alan and Eileen Thomas remember scenes of chaos in South Terrace last year (T)

Almost 12 months to the day after disaster struck South Terrace, the Gazette revisited the street which, on June 11, 2013, saw endless streams of filthy floodwater pour into nearly 30 basement flats after a month’s worth of rain fell in just 12 hours.

Homes, possessions and livelihoods were destroyed in what West Sussex County Council (WSCC) called a ‘one-in-200-year event’.

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But the memories of the deluge remain firmly fixed in the minds of those who lived through the nightmare, with several homes still left unoccupied this week.

Ken Jarvis, 64, lost everything – furniture, electronics and priceless sentimental pictures of his late mother and step-father – when 3ft of sewage water flooded his flat.

His home was uninhabitable for six months while decontamination and refitting work was undertaken. He said: “You’re left looking over your shoulder when it’s raining. I get very nervous and anxious when it rains.”

Alan Thomas and wife Eileen, owners of the Racing Greens hotel, have been repairing their basement apartment which was severely damaged by flooding. They’re worried not enough has been done to address the inadequate sewer system.

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Alan said: “It’s been a nightmare. The flat only reopened last month, Our bill to repair it came to £90,000. Thankfully this was covered by the insurance. But we estimate that we have lost almost £14,000 in potential earnings.”

£500,000 investment

Southern Water said it was investing about £500,000 to improve the resilience of the sewer system in the town – work which will be completed by September.

Mark Thompson, Southern Water’s head of wastewater assets, said: “We have worked closely with WSCC on its investigations and identified things we can do to improve the resilience of the sewer system.

“We have installed a new mini pumping station in Pier Road which ensures wastewater flows from the small number of homes affected and can be taken away for treatment during heavy rainfall.

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Work on further improvements, including the replacement of pumps at our foreshore and Sea Lane pumping stations, will start soon and is due to be completed by September.

“These investigations and improvements total some £500,000 and we can assure customers this investment will make the sewer system more resilient.”