Action to stop flooding is needed now, says council

The demand for action from West Sussex County Council was unanimously agreed at the parish council’s January meeting.

It followed comments by Cllr Colin Mansfield that more needed to be done to stop future flooding.

He said the ditch clearance carried out by the county council was inadequate.

He told the meeting pinch points by Comet Corner would just transfer the flooding from the cleared ditches to those areas.

The only way to prevent further flooding was to install a new culvert to the Ryebank Rife. That could not wait until Comet Corner was eventually improved.

The council was told by county council leader Cllr Louise Goldsmith the entire road drainage system from the junction with Middleton/Elmer Road north to Comet Corner on the A259 was being jetted.

This also included ditch clearance from Ancton Lane to Comet Corner as well as some ditches in Sea Lane and remedial works by Middleton Road. Design work was being carried out as well on a drainage channel from Comet Corner to the rife.