Tide changes in the battle against floods in Arun

THE Gazette area is reaping the rewards of West Sussex County Council’s battle to tackle future flooding with many parishes having received a substantial sum of cash to shore up their defences.
A flooded Sea Road, in Littlehampton, before the works to improve its drainage had been completed       L06109H13A flooded Sea Road, in Littlehampton, before the works to improve its drainage had been completed       L06109H13
A flooded Sea Road, in Littlehampton, before the works to improve its drainage had been completed L06109H13

As part of the county council’s Operation Watershed campaign, a total of £2.5m has been allocated to drainage improvements across Sussex.

And, with the scheme reaching its half-way stage, this week, many communities have already benefited from the operation.

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In East Preston, work to repair the sea outfall, in Sea Lane, and to clear ditches across the village has already been completed – with the council injecting a total of £69,500 into the projects.

While in Littlehampton, £12,000 has been spent on a new outfall in the troublesome Sea Road – which used to flood regularly following moderate to heavy rainfall.

Yapton, too, has felt the impact of the council’s support, with two projects having been completed already.

In Hoe Lane, £3,140 was spent on gully and culvert repairs, while in Yapton Lane, £3,000 was granted to repair ageing pipes.

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County council cabinet member for highways and transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “So much hard work is going into making our communities more resilient to extreme weather.

“We are determined to improve the drainage systems and reduce the levels of surface water that form on our roads following heavy rain.

“The next time we experience a bad spell extreme weather, we are confident the effect it has on these areas will lessen.”

Golfers at Angmering’s Ham Manor Golf Course have also celebrated taking the first steps against future floods.

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Last year, the club suffered when the Black Ditch – a tributary of the River Arun – burst its banks after heavy rainfall in June.

The problem was compounded by the ditch being neglected for years.

But the site has since secured financial backing as part of the county council’s active communities fund.

It received a sum of £5,469 to clear the ditch of silt and weeds.

Course manager Alan Pierce said about 30 homes will benefit from the work.

He added: “The water level has dropped considerably already and our members are happy at seeing the work being done.”