ENVIRONMENT AGENCY PUTS UCKFIELD FLOOD PLANS ON DISPLAY

The Environment Agency is inviting the residents of Uckfield to come and hear the results of its investigations into how the town can be protected from flooding in the future.

In October 2000, Uckfield experienced devastating floods. Since then the Environment Agency has been looking into ways of reducing the risks of flooding in the future.

The Environment Agency is now giving residents the chance to come and see the results of this work for themselves. Members of the public can visit the Uckfield Civic Centre on 13 October 2005 from 10am until 8pm.

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Environment Agency representatives will be on hand all day to answer questions and offer advice.

The Environment Agency has looked at all the possible options to reduce Uckfield's risks of flooding. Work will start in the new year to build a wall around the Somerfield supermarket car park. This will protect a part of the town from frequent flooding and will reduce the flood risk for around 30 properties.

Andrew Gilham, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager in Sussex, said:

"We are pleased to be in a position to tell the residents of Uckfield what our plans are for the town. I hope that people will take the opportunity to visit Uckfield Civic Centre to see our proposals in more detail and find out how and why we have made these decisions.

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"We want to reassure people that we are doing as much as we can to help protect Uckfield. But whilst we can reduce the effects of flooding through defences, awareness and education, we can't prevent them altogether so it's important that people prepare in advance to try to reduce the devastating effects of flooding."

The Environment Agency will continue to maintain the river, removing debris and rubbish from the River Uck if considered a flood risk and working with the Local Authority and businesses to ensure that shopping trolleys are not thrown into the river. The Environment Agency will also continue to provide an efficient and effective flood warning service.

The Environment Agency urges householders and businesses in flood risk areas to be prepared. Visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to find out if you are at risk of flooding and get advice on how to prepare in advance to minimise the damage.