Flooded A29 closure a 'nightmare' for residents

Residents have expressed their frustration at the A29 in Bognor Regis being closed for more than a week due to flooding.

The road, which links the West Sussex town and the A27, has been closed for through traffic since 2 February.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) says "unprecedented rain" recently means water levels are high and drainage systems are overwhelmed.

Temporary pumps were installed to drain water on to nearby private land and a shingle ramp with rubber mats on top was installed so residents in Sack Lane could drive out.

Residents like Heather Pencil, who moved from Texas on 3 February with her family, says it has been "tedious" because it has taken 45 minutes to get home on some days with diversions.

Other drivers told BBC Radio Sussex their normal 15-minute journey had taken more than an hour due to diversions.

Areas of Bognor including Shripney and Bersted are low-lying and have been affected by flooding in previous years.

There are currently 12 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, across Sussex including near Bognor Regis.

The Environment Agency also issued two flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, in Fittleworth and Pulborough in West Sussex.

Gary Warren, who has lived in Shripney for 10 years, said: "It's been a real nightmare not being able to get in and out of our homes, roads being closed, people not telling us what's going on.

"It's affected the area for many years. I think the main issue is the Aldingbourne Rife, also we need better diversions and help for people to get out of their homes."

On Monday WSCC said the Aldingbourne Rife, which carries water away from Shripney, was full. The authority said pumping water would be ineffective as it would be replaced by runoff from adjacent land and the rife itself.

Pumping finally started on Tuesday, with Joy Dennis, cabinet member for highways and transport, saying they had agreed with a private landowner to drain water on to their land to help alleviate the flooding.

She said: "We were in the background trying to agree this with the landowner who has been comfortable in us trialling this. We will see how this goes, but it's certainly not a long term solution."

WSCC says it will re-open roads and repair any potholes damaged by high water levels as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Environment Agency said its teams are responding quickly to blockages, clearing debris screens in Barnham and running pumps at Felpham to help water pass through.

A spokesperson added: "While dredging might seem like an obvious solution for flooding, it is not always effective in extreme flooding situations. Silt also returns quickly, and dredging can increase erosion and flood risk downstream.

"Our maintenance approach focuses on vegetation management, with two weed boats, which to opens channels and increase water flow away from communities."

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