GALLERY: Update on Steyning flooding

HEAVY rain overnight, and more forecast today, could hamper efforts to clear the flooding in Steyning.

Highways engineers are working to clear a large log that is wedged in a culvert beneath the road in Shooting Field.

Fears have been raised that if they cannot clear it, they may have to dig up the road to do so, causing chaos close to three school sites.

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Steyning Parish Council chairman Phil Bowell visited the site yesterday and sent the Herald a collection of photographs to show the progress.

He said: “The Environment Agency have been in place and been able to control the water flow using pumps and piping.

“Water flow is now contained away from the road and into Gatewick House by pumping and this is keeping the water flowing and below the culvert level under the road, so water is not coming up in the middle of road any more.

“The immediate issue of potential flooding of property up stream has diminished – Environment Agency staff have done a good job.”

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Agency staff remained at the scene overnight and into today, to ensure the pumps kept working.

Mr Bowell said he understood the blockage was proving very difficult to clear – possibly requiring lifting the concrete off the top of the culvert, and the road as well, to get at it.

“If this has to take place, it could well close the road and seriously disrupt traffic, including a bus route,” he added.

David Barling, county councillor for Bramber Castle, said the teams were doing all they could to avoid digging up the road.

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The teams had been able to partially clear some of the debris yesterday and would try again today to move the log, believed to be about 6in across.

Much would depend on the weather and the water levels in the culvert, which were estimated to be over 6ft yesterday.

Read more in the Steyning Herald tomorrow.