Sinkhole and flooding among emergency incidents in West Sussex

West Sussex Highways reported on social media on Monday morning (February 24) that it ‘received five emergency reports’ over the weekend – including flooding and a sinkhole.

A spokesperson told Sussex World: “A sinkhole reported on Tennyson Road, Worthing on Sunday, February 23 has been made safe with no safety risk and we are investigating the cause.

“Work to repair the sinkhole is scheduled to take place until March 4. The sinkhole measures approximately two cubic metres. The road will remain closed while the work is carried out, but residential access will be maintained."

On Sunday, an emergency road closure, with diversions, was implemented on A281 Guildford Road, Broadbridge Heath. This was due to flooding, the county council said, adding: “The road was reopened later the same day when the water cleared.”

On Monday morning, a large tree fell at the junction with Farncombe Road and Church Walk in Worthing.

According to AA Traffic News, the road was partially blocked, with slow traffic in the area – but has since cleared.

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “The fallen tree, that was blocking the carriageway and access to residential property, was reported at 1am on Monday.

"This has now been removed and access restored.”

If you spot an emergency while on your travels, call West Sussex Highways on 01243 642105.

Meanwhile, nine flood alerts have been issued, across Sussex, by the Environment Agency.

The Met Office issued a number of weather warnings over the weekend – in the west and north of the UK – as a deep area of low pressure brought a period of heavy rain and strong winds.

No such warnings were put in place in the South East but there has still been plenty of wind and rain.

Of the 96 flood alerts across the UK, nine are in Sussex. This means that flooding is possible.

The Environment Agency warned that people in Sussex should ‘be prepared’ for possible flooding if they live near these rivers: Western Rother (The Western Rother from Liss to Hardham); Lower Arun (The Rivers Arun, Chilt, Stor and Tortington Stream): Upper Arun (The Rivers Arun, North River, Kird and Par Brook); River Lox (from Chiddingfold to Drungewick, including the Loxwood Stream); River Adur West Branch (and tributaries from Coolham to Bines Green); River Adur East Branch (and tributaries from Burgess Hill to Henfield); River Uck (and the Framfield, Ridgewood and Tickerage Streams); Cuckmere River (and tributaries from Vines Cross to Exceat Bridge) & River Mole, Gatwick Stream, Ifield Brook and Burstow Stream.