DIY flood defence

FLOOD defences built by a retired doctor in Buxted did a good job last year but couldn t keep out all the water washing around his home so he s built an improved version since then.

My defences weren t high enough to keep the water right out, said Dr Christopher Petit. But while it was about 3ft deep outside it was 10 inches deep inside so they did do some good.

Dr Petit went to the recent public meeting in Uckfield and spoke when the public had chance to ask questions. He welcomed the option to store water upsteam of Buxted in the event of flooding. I think it is a fantastic, good scheme.

He and his wife June spoke to the Express after the meeting and said he was away in France when the deluge arrived. Mrs Petit had driven through a terrifying thunderstorm to Crowborough and back on October 11. I thought my last hour had come, she said.

She went to bed semi-dressed fearing trouble and awoke at about 4.45am knowing water was in the house. It was over her ankles as she came downstairs. She picked up as many things as she could and put them on tables, but much could not be saved and carpets and soft furnishings were ruined. Brick floors have still not dried out.

We live in what was the miller s house. All those years ago when the mill was in use he would probably have expected that to flood but he wouldn t have expected water to get into his own home, said Mrs Petit.

She said conditions were totally different now because of building on the flood plain. It stood to reason that the water couldn t get away when the land was covered in tarmac and concrete.