Floods occur often after a few days of rain

Each time we are flooded, it is following a few days of rain; not freak storms. The most recent incidence of flooding was in November last year; after Southern Water claims to have made improvements to the pumping station and flood-alert systems, and after Southern Water installed an anti-flood device in the sewer serving our properties in Pier Road, which was intended to protect us when the drainage system is overwhelmed due to heavy rain.

Despite all this, we were still flooded.

Surely there must be an element of negligence involved on the part of Southern Water?

And yet, they tell us they are not liable to pay compensation and we must claim on our insurance.

For some of us that is not an option: having claimed twice in 2008 and seen our excess soar to £7,500, we dare not claim again and run the risk of being refused insurance altogether.

Any more suggestions, Southern Water?

Sally Bennett,

Pier Road,

Littlehampton