Relying on rumour mill on flood works

I WRITE in response to the article in last week’s Gazette (Thursday, August 23) regarding the Environment Agency and Arun District Council’s flood defence works and enhancement of Arun Parade and Pier Road.

On October 3, 2011, Arun District Council invited businesses in Pier Road and Arun Parade to a stakeholders’ workshop regarding the enhancement of the area, that would coincide with the flood defence works to be carried out by the Environment Agency.

Since that meeting, the businesses of the area have had to rely mainly on the rumour mill, plus a great deal of detective work by business owners, for any information regarding the exact work schedules and timescales involved.

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To say that communication has been poor is an understatement!

To date, the businesses have still had no official notification from the district council that the works have been put back a year and, only two weeks ago, found out through one business owner’s hard detective work, that the Environment Agency was planning to carry out exploratory works in early September, that may result in a road closure for Pier Road, with the possibility of disruption continuing until the end of October.

The businesses of Arun Parade and Pier Road are not just seasonal, many operate all year round and, as such, would require clear communication from both the Environment Agency and Arun District Council.

As a business owner in Pier Road, I have tried to engage with district council officers and councillors regarding the project but, from the latest fiasco of communication, it would seem a pointless exercise.

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At the worst, it could be perceived as contempt for the local businesses, but at the very least, it is poor management and understanding of the situation.

We all understand the work needs to go ahead and we welcome the improvements along with the enhancements.

It will potentially make the area better, I truly believe that the organisations involved are better than the way they have come across, I for one look forward to better communications and engagement from the EA and ADC in the future but let’s face facts, it could not get any worse.

Andy Cooper

The Beach Hut

Pier Road

Littlehampton