Mystery solved after West Sussex village residents asked to attend public meeting
Residents in Barnham are being invited to attend a public meeting about upcoming works in the area.
Barnham and Eastergate Parish Council shared – in a social media post – that it was informed by Southern Water of an in-person customer meeting, ‘regarding upcoming works in the Barnham area’.
A Southern Water document, attached to the post, read: “Dear Customers. We would like to inform you that we will shortly be starting planned works in the Barnham area.
"We are holding an in-person customer meeting, providing you with the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the forthcoming works and to discuss any concerns that you may have. We will be talking you through the scope of works and how this may affect you whilst we carry out this essential work.
“We hope you can join us on Tuesday 24th February 2026. The meeting will be held in Barnham Community Hall, Yapton Road, Barnham, PO22 0AY from 6pm–8pm.”
Mystery had surrounded what the works were all about but more details have now been disclosed.
A spokesperson for the water company told Sussex World on February 20: “The meeting is about £2.3m worth of work taking place in Barnham, Lidsey and the surrounding areas to help create cleaner rivers and seas and reduce storm overflows and tackle issues around groundwater infiltration.
“The scheme will be similar to that in Bognor Regis, and the work taking place in the Lavant Valley.”
Southern Water is expected to release further details in due course.
This comes after one mystified resident wrote on Facebook: “According to one.network, which is where the local authority and WSCC post all full and partial road closures, there are no planned closures by Southern water or Portsmouth Water in the Barnham area for the next 12 months, with the exception of traffic lights at the ongoing pumping at Lake Lane / Barnham Lane.
“As I probably wont be able to attend this meeting, would you please tell us exactly what works are planned or is it a secret unless you attend the meeting?”