Traders’ concern over proposed Littlehampton flood defence

At a special meeting of Littlehampton Town Council, concerned traders warned councillors that, if the rejuvenation project of the town’s East Bank was to be a success, they could not skimp on the quality of materials used.

Andy Cooper, owner of the Beach Hut shop in Pier Road, who is also the chairman of Rustington Parish Council, attended the meeting, at the Manor House, in Church Street.

He told councillors that the scheme could be a “massive leap forward” for Littlehampton but for this to happen there needed to be more consultation between stake holders and the businesses in the road.

He said: “The town council needs to understand the views of the traders. They need to be our voice.

“I think many of us feel that we have been ignored during the consultation stage.”

Town councillors Dr James Walsh and Joyce Bowyer supported this request at the meeting. Dr Walsh said that he would make Arun District Council aware of the traders’ concerns.

Wes Smart, of Harbour Park also spoke during a public question time. He questioned whether or not the town council would be helping to fund the redevelopment.

He said: “We can’t spread the jam too thinly. For this project to work, councillors and the Environment Agency (EA) need to hit one thing and do that right.

“There is no point in spreading the funding so thinly that we’re left with an ‘all right’ or ‘adequate’ job, because at the end of the day, it will only mean that 10 or 15 years down the line, we will still be working on improving the area.”

Town clerk Peter Herbert replied that the council would not be providing any funding towards the project, as it was not needed.

He pointed out that all the funding for the environmental enhancements had been allocated by Arun, in conjunction with the EA, and that there would be no risk to the quality of materials used to build the proposed terraced walkway and flood defence wall.

Mrs Bowyer added: ”The quality of the materials that they are using is of a very good standard.”

Last week, the EA agreed, to provide the lion’s share of £13m needed to construct the flood defences.

The project will see the construction of a 1.9 metre-high wall at its highest points, dropping down to about 1.4 metres.

There will also be a multi-level, terraced walkway constructed which would widen the existing footpath in Pier Road.