Traders ‘ignored’ by Littlehampton flood scheme designers

ENGINEERS designing Littlehampton’s £12m East Bank flood defences have been urged to take more notice of comments by businesses.

Traders and other businesses in the Pier Road/Arun Parade stretch of the riverside had raised concerns at consultation meetings about crossing points in the scheme, but when drawings came back later, they were exactly the same as before, councillor Dr James Walsh told Arun District Council’s Littlehampton regeneration sub-committee last week.

“People are very unhappy that changes are verbally agreed at the meetings, but then don’t appear on paper. It’s very important, if we are going to take Harbour Park, the Pier Road traders and everyone else associated with the scheme along with us that small points like crossing places are taken on board now, otherwise you build up confrontation later,” he said.

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He was commenting on an update on the scheme given to the sub-committee by Arun principal landscape officer Rachel Alderson, who is working with Environment Agency (EA) officials on the council’s contribution to the project, £1m-plus of environmental enhancements.

She said: “Some changes have been taken on board.

“A number of questions that the traders raised at a meeting last week have been responded to or taken on board.”

Dr Walsh said he had been contacted that morning by Gary Smart, managing director of the Harbour Park amusement complex in Pier Road, over his concerns.

“We have this breathing space now to have discussions and get it right, before they start the work,” said Dr Walsh, who added he would be meeting traders later this month to hear their views.

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Councillor Paul Bicknell, chairman of the sub-committee, suggested Arun representatives at meetings between the parties should make a note. “Perhaps we need to put down on paper what has been agreed, if the EA has not recorded it,” he said. Work is due to start on the scheme in the autumn along the Pier Road/Arun Parade stretch, to minimise the effect on the tourist season. Ms Alderson said Arun’s enhancement works would feature materials inspired by the local environment, including timber seats, raised flower beds and lighting columns, with light buff-coloured, textured concrete for walkways. Plans for the enhancements are due to be submitted to Arun by the end of this month.