Flood defence update

The meeting has been arranged by pressure group Lewes Flood Action which hold its annual meeting later the same evening.

The Government is considering Environment Agency flood defence plans which involve raising river walls and banks in most but not all of the town, and longer-term providing a down-river flood plain.

The Government is being asked to provide 65 per cent funding while local authorities must find the remainder.

Said Action spokesman John Clark: 'A "fair wind" timetable for completion of the proposed work on the river walls is 2005.

'But one thing that could delay it is that the the county council has threatened not to pay its full contribution to the Sussex Area Flood Committee, and therefore flood defence, because of cuts in its budget.

'Any hold-ups could literally be fatal.'