'˜Excellent' new defences in Littlehampton to reduce risk of flooding

Members of the Rope Walk Flood Action Group at the new defences

Residents have waved goodbye to years of flooding fears thanks to new defences provided by the Environment Agency.

The demountable aluminium flood barriers, which can be assembled quickly and easily, have been provided at the Hillyard shipyard in Rope Walk, Littlehampton, after extensive discussions between the Rope Walk Flood Action Group and the Environment Agency.

For years the River Arun has regularly breached and overtopped the old defences, a spokesman from the flood group said.

This has caused considerable stress to residents and business owners along Rope Walk and has also prevented them from obtaining reasonably priced insurance, added the spokesman.

Simon Gibson, chairman of the Rope Walk Flood Action Group, said the new defences were ‘excellent’, adding: “This is a great start in reducing the threat of flooding and damage done.

“These boards have been engineered to a very high standard.

“We look forward to continuing partnership working with the Environment Agency and the local community to continue to deliver more targeted, effective flood defences like these.”