UPDATE: Pumping station’s repair work almost completed

In an effort to protect resident’s homes from flooding, the water company was forced to pump raw sewerage into the sea yesterday after a fault with equipment at the Sea Road pumping station, in Littlehampton.

A health warning was placed on the beach, with Littlehampton’s Harbour Master, Billy Johnson, urging locals not to swim in the sea for 48 hours.

Today a Southern Water spokesman said: “A team of ten people worked throughout the day yesterday setting up a series of temporary pumps to bypass a valve with a sheared bolt at our Sea Road pumping station in Littlehampton.

“This meant the release of wastewater, to prevent flooding of homes and streets, was stopped yesterday afternoon.

“The valve, which is four metres underground, is being replaced and the site should return to normal by tomorrow.”