West Sussex flooding: Council worker 'struck' by car which 'forced its way through a road closure'

The incident happened on A29 Shripney Road – at the Saltbox Roundabout – in Bersted. The road has been closed since Monday, February 2, due to major flooding.

The county council has now reiterated its warning for residents ‘not to drive through flooded roads’.

A statement read: “Whilst the council understands the frustration road closures caused by flooding present to drivers, driving through them can cause further issues including delaying opening the road, pushing water into residential homes as well as potentially negating the driver’s insurance should their car break down due to water ingress.

“It is also dangerous to those highway operatives who are on site to try and resolve the issue. This morning (Monday, February 9), one of our highways team members was struck by a white Land Rover which forced its way through a road closure.

"Luckily the operative was not injured but the incident has been reported to the police and any witnesses are urged to contact the police on 101.”

The county council said its officers are ‘there to help’.

"They are not there to be abused either verbally or physically, and we urge the public to recognise this,” a spokesperson added.

"We want to resolve the issues faced due the adverse weather as much as the public and ask for patience whilst we do so.”

Following an inspection on Monday morning, it was decided that Shripney Road should remain closed ‘due to the current water level’. After a Met Office yellow weather warning was issued – amid the possibility of further heavy rainfall – the council feared there could be ‘increased water levels on the carriageway’.

“Our contractors have begun work to erect a temporary ramp over the flooding at Sack Lane,” a West Sussex Highways update read.

"This will enable vehicle access for all residents. The works are currently expected to be completed by the end of Tuesday (February 10).

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as necessary. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Flooding has been a major issue for much of 2026, so far, with West Sussex no stranger to road closures.

As of 3pm on Tuesday, Lower Bognor Road, Lagness remains shut from Chalcraft Lane to Pagham Road.

Meanwhile, a primary school outside Chichester has welcomed back staff and pupils after a one-day enforced closure.

Highleigh Road and Keynor Lane, which serve Sidlesham Primary School, reopened on Sunday (February 8) after major flooding caused disruption for six days.

Whilst the roads were still shut on Friday, Chichester MP, Jess Brown-Fuller, said: “Schools are closing, roads are underwater, and people are unable to go about their lives. This cannot continue.

“Local authorities need to take action and convene emergency meetings to keep people and properties safe, as well as discussing future resilience for the area, to ensure everyone is doing all they can to resolve extreme flooding, once and for all.”

WSCC stepped in to assure residents it was doing all it could to keep the county moving.

“Since September, the county has above average rainfall, with highs of 190 per cent above average being reached over the last few weeks,” a spokesperson said, on Friday evening.

"The Met Office is forecasting that these high levels of rain are set to continue for the remainder of the month, with another 60mm expected to fall between now and next Wednesday.

“The persistent heavy rain continues to cause disruption across the county, in particular on the road network, with multiple roads closed due to standing floodwater and a rise in the number of potholes being reported.

“The county councils’ Highways team is working hard to resolve issues caused by this unprecedented situation and will continue to respond to reports of issues from residents as quickly as possible.

“During prolonged periods of heavy rain, the sheer volume of water means that no highway drainage can work effectively.”