Delayed look at Barnham floods begins

The investigation has got under way a year late after a lack of rain 12 months ago meant it could not be conducted.

The delayed study – leading to a surface water management plan –will assess the workings of the foul sewers under the village to find out what improvements are needed.

Brian Holland, Arun District Council’s engineering services manager, told its environmental services and community development working group last week overflowing foul sewers were a continual problem in Barnham.

“The problem is almost certainly exacerbated by the infiltration of surface and ground water into both public and private sections of the foul sewerage system,” he said.

“The collection of ground water levels and flow monitoring in the foul sewers is set to be carried out through the coming winter as the basis for the evaluation of the workings of the system.”

Consultants had been appointed to lead the study after the county council and Southern Water had agreed to fund the work.

Mr Holland said the district council’s engineers, residents and the Environment Agency would be asked for their opinions.

It follows a surface water management plan for Elmer. Some of its proposals to reduce flooding have been put into effect by the residents and Southern Water.