Plans to fill gap in coastal defence scheme

New flood defences for Shoreham were put in place in 2019

There is concern in a West Sussex town about a possible further delay to completing its flood defences.

Adur District Council wants to finish construction of the flood wall in Shoreham along land owned by Sussex Yacht Club and is seeking planning permission at a meeting on Monday night.

A flood defence in the town was put in place five years ago, but a gap was left for the yacht club to build a new club room.

It is now asking for further delays whilst public rights of way across its land is sorted.

Tim Leigh, Sussex Yacht Club secretary, told BBC Radio Sussex: "We have always wanted to see the flood defence wall complete.

"But it has to be done correctly and access has to be in the right place.

"There are currently three public footpaths on our land and one is in the wrong place."

Kim Matthews, a Shoreham fisherman, said: "This has been rumbling on for years.

"The flood wall needs to be built. There is some urgency.

"In April the water was over the road again and into the houses."

Shoreham suffered from serious flooding in 2013, when a tidal surge up the River Adur sent water into homes and businesses.

An Adur District Council spokesperson said: “We’re committed to helping to protect homes and businesses in Shoreham that are at risk of flooding from the river.

"We want work on the flood defences to begin as soon as possible.”

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