Horsham district braced for torrential rain

The Met Office has forecast up to four millimetres of rainfall in an hour during the early hours of the early morning in parts of the county.

This downfall is likely to add to the high levels of ground water seen around the county.

In recent weeks some of the heaviest rain since records began, combined with melting snow, have saturated the land.

The county council has been prepared for the latest outbreak of poor weather since last week.

Pumps were placed in sites at high risk of flooding on the coast.

Extra pothole patrol gangs have been deployed by the county council to fix the problems surface water has caused the road surface.

Contractor Balfour Beatty has 12 regular works gangs and six extra pothole patrol crews out on the road network.

Together they have repaired over 2,500 potholes since Christmas.

County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Pieter Montyn, said: “Once again we would like to re-assure residents everything possible is being done to keep the roads safe and traffic moving.

“Ground water tables remain high and consequently every time it rains we are prone to flooding.

“We are devoting resources to key flooding hotspots.”

Pieter added: “We want to remind motorists the onus is on them to drive slowly and safely in wet conditions.

“Please go slowly wherever there is water on the road –you don’t know what might be hidden underneath.”