Call for no more delays in plugging gap in Shoreham’s flood defences

A new flood defence, footpath, and cycle path at the Sussex Yacht Club, 85 – 89 Brighton Road, was approved in March 2019 but remains unbuilt.

The proposed wall, which includes two sliding flood gates, seeks to ‘prevent flood risk to a significant number of homes and businesses’, according to planning officers at Adur District Council.

It is expected to mitigate the risk from a 1 in 200 year flood event and will form part of the wider Shoreham flood defences, including those constructed as part of the Mariner Point development and the Environment Agency’s Tidal Walls Project.

But, while the wall remains unbuilt, the surrounding area is ‘the last remaining section’ not protected by flood defences.

Andy McGregor (Con, Widewater) said: “I have to say this is the gap in our flood defences for the town.

“We must do nothing to delay plugging that gap because every spring tide, if the wind is in the right direction, we run the risk of flooding the town.”

The project has been delayed due to the pandemic but could now be sped up after ADC’s planning committee allowed amendments to the original planning permission.

This permission will allow ‘minor investigatory works’ to take place including further testing of the flood wall design and levels of ground water.

Planning officers said the work ‘will not have a significant impact’ but will ‘allow these essential works to progress’.

The flood defence would run along the south side of Brighton Road, to the east of the Adur Ferry Bridge.

Approved plans show a 1.5 metre high concrete wall with brickwork and flint panelling. Metal railings bring the overall height to two metres.

Two sliding gates would allow vehicle access to the Yacht Club and could be closed in the event of a flood.

The plans will also enable a new shared footpath and cycleway along Brighton Road as part of a plan for a segregated cycle lane joining Shoreham to Brighton.

An existing public right of way at Stowes Gap Hard could be ‘stopped up’ or diverted before the wall is built, so long as legal permission is granted.

More details can be found at the council’s planning portal using the reference: AWDM/2096/21.