Spotlight is on flooding one year later
The one-in-200-year event, which saw hundreds of homes across the Bognor Regis area invaded by floodwater, was the topic of discussion at a meeting of the Arun West U3A.
A series of speakers gave their viewpoint on the events of June 11 and the aftermath.
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Hide AdMatthew Westmore, from the Middleton-on-Sea association, said securing funding for improvement works was vital.
“The events of last June were exceptional. In my opinion it is very unlikely they will happen again but that by no way means they won’t.
“On that day it became clear that the sewage and drainage systems could not cope. The man-made ones couldn’t cope with the amount of water and the natural systems also could not cope,” said Mr Westmore.
Mr Westmore said improvements to systems on privates estates in Middleton, which were badly affected, would cost some £2m.
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Hide AdKevin Macknay, West Sussex County Council’s drains strategy team leader, said two independent rain gauges in Bognor had recorded rainfall of 274mm on the day.
He said: “Since last June’s events we have been working with local flood groups and parish councils to identify weaknesses in the systems.”
A plea from John Smith, the Environment Agency’s asset performance team leader, for residents and landowners to keep their ditches clear was also made.
Mr Smith said work between the agencies who deal with flooding incidents had improved, as had response times.