Officials pull out of public meeting on flooding risks

Representatives from Southern Water and the Environment Agency had been due to attend the session on Tuesday (June 16) evening.

It involved presentations on behalf of more than 500 residents in Elmer, Nyetimber and Barnham, as well as from Barnham Primary School, demanding action to remove the blight of flooding from their areas.

But both organisations cancelled their appearances at Arun District Council's performance scrutiny committee at the last minute.

Committee chairman Dr James Walsh condemned their late change of heart.

"In spite of invitations to both Southern Water and the Environment Agency, both at the 11th hour today sent in apologies for non-attendance.

"I am very concerned about that and think the committee should be as well. They are public bodies and had plenty of notice of this meeting, at least three weeks and probably more.

"I will write on the committee's behalf expressing my displeasure.

"We will have to have them here at some stage so they can be scrutinised and questioned on this matter," he said.

He told the residents: "You are welcome to come back and hear Southern Water and Environment Agency and their answers."

The likely date for their attendance is the committee's next regular meeting on July 28. An alternative will be arranged if that is unsuitable.

The committee's members agreed to continue working with Southern Water, the Environment Agency and West Sussex County Council to address the causes of the 19 flood hotspots around Bognor.

This list will form the basis of work for a potential surface water management plan to co-ordinate action about flooding.

Arun services director Colin Rogers said Southern Water had attended two officer meetings since a deluge on February 9/10 prompted serious flooding.

"Quite frankly, their attitude is not good enough for this evening but I am sure the dialogue between us will continue," he stated.

Southern Water has confirmed to the council its business plan for 2010-15 includes 150,000 to investigate the flooding problems in Barnham.

Residents spell out their concerns area by area

The residents' concerns were spelled out for each area.

* Elmer Sands estate, where 353 residents have signed a petition '“ Geoff Matcham said they hoped Arun would join them in expressing dismay at Southern Water's lack of progress in upgrading their sewers.

They also hoped the district council would consider the implications for any new large scale housing development in the area with its corresponding impact upon the sewage infrastructure.

"Inevitably, all of this overflowing sewage ends up in the sea, which must also have implications for the water quality and our much-vaunted Blue Flag status.

"The impact on tourism, should we lose this accolade, cannot be understated," he said.

The perils of sewage getting into the sea were shown by Southern Water's efforts to seal a leak in the crumbling main pipe next to the Elmer pumping station, which was oozing raw sewage into the nearby rife.

Their efforts were rewarded by a sudden and catastrophic burst, like an explosion, when thousands of gallons of evil smelling sewage cascaded down the rife outfall and into the sea.

* Elm Grove, Barnham, where 132 people signed a petition '“ Terence Booker spoke about the events of February 9/10 and the rain's effect on the lives of homeowners with sewage coming up through their toilets.

"This was the third time last winter we were unable to use our toilets. Every time, we have had four days of continuous rain in the last five years, the sewage system fills up."

* Barnham Primary School, Elm Grove, Barnham, forced by flooding to close for five days '“ Governor Tony Foot: "It's widely accepted these sort of problems are not a one-off. They will happen again and again and again.

"It is your job in my view to make sure there is a lack of buck-passing.

"It is vital there is the utmost co-operation of all agencies to achieve a solution."

* Edwen Close, Nyetimber, where 23 people signed a petition '“ Sherry Lygo-Hackett: "There was terrible flooding in February which practically invaded peoples' homes.

After four-and-a-half days when the flood water receded, the smell in the air was absolutely appalling."

An initial survey put the blame on a blocked pipe culvert in a garage compound in nearby Mayfield Close.

This would be tackled in a joint Arun-Southern Water operation.

"The residents are concerned that if this pipe cleaning does not do the trick, will something else be done to ease the situation?" Mrs Lygo-Hackett asked.

Areas at risk

A total of 19 flooding problem areas around Bognor Regis was reported to the committee.

There are said to be a variety of causes which led to properties and roads being flooded in February.

A range of action has been undertaken or planned.

The locations are: Aldingbourne '“ Nyton Road, Westergate; Aldwick '“ The Drive; Barnham '“ Lake Lane; Bersted '“ Tesco car park, Shripney Road, Fairlands and A29 Shripney Road; Bognor '“ Durban Road, Greenwood Avenue; Eastergate '“ Elm Grove; Felpham '“ Davenport Road, A259 east and west of Downview Road; Middleton '“ The Hard; Pagham '“ Edwen Close, Lower Bognor Road, St Thomas Court and Sea Lane; Walberton '“ West Walberton Lane; Yapton '“ Yapton Road and Hoe Lane.

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