Wealden: Roadshow for flood barriers to come to district?

The Environment Agency is currently assessing some of the barriers commercially available. Officers then intend to tour towns and villages to let residents to view them for themselves.

A officer s report to Wealden District Council Cabinet last week said that investigations were underway into flood barriers for doorways of vulnerable properties.

Senior engineer Peter Palmer s report said that the cost of supply and installation of the devices ranged from 160 to 500. He said the cost was dependant on the number of doors per household needing protection, width of openings, ease of fitting and purchase cost.

He said that most of the barriers available required a permanent framewith a portable section to be placed by the occupant when required.

He added: Owners of property in areas that are within the flood plain and/or historically prone to flooding may consider it worthwhile investing in permanent barriers to increase flood protection to their property.

He said that the approximate cost to the council of delivering sufficient sandbags for a single doorway during an emergency was in the region of 35, adding: If a property is fitted with a permanent barrier, the council could therefore save future sandbagging costs.

Cabinet members considered a number of issues at last Friday s meeting. These included:

The level of assistance to be given to occupiers the whole cost; the equivalent cost of sandbagging; or a fixed grant?

To whom would assistance be given any property with a history of indoor flooding; any property in flood plain or at risk areas; commercial premises as well; or only owners or occupiers who could not otherwise afford to protect their own property?

Should the council arrange the supply and fitting of barriers to properties?

Members recommended that the council looked further at the possibility of buying flood barriers in bulk and selling them on to residents at risk . The matter will now be discussed at the first meeting of the Strategic Forum set up to provide a unified action plan against flooding.

Published: 7.6.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd