What can West Sussex County Council do to prevent flooding?
The authority's looking for our feedback
We're being asked what we think about West Sussex County Council's plans to prevent local flooding.
They've opened up a public survey into their draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. |newtab)
That'll help guide the Council's work with water companies, district and borough councils, landowners, residents and the Environment Agency over the next five years.
The document's been drawn up following a survey held last September, asking people in West Sussex about their experiences with flooding.
The latest consultation is looking for our feedback on the plans they've come up with so far.
Councillor Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said:
“Flooding can have a devastating impact on our communities, businesses, infrastructure, and environment. The rapid pace of climate change means that the likelihood and severity of flooding is increasing. West Sussex is affected by multiple sources of flood risk, from rivers, watercourses and the sea, to surface and groundwater.
“Water does not respect administrative boundaries or organisational structures, which makes flood risk management a complex business. It has to be done in partnership with the County Council, water companies, Environment Agency, local communities, landowners and property owners all working together.
"Our strategy sets the long-term direction to better manage flood risk in our county, whilst also identifying specific actions for the next five years. The focus is on understanding the problem at a strategic scale and considering interactions between the multiple sources of flooding, with the aim of identifying holistic solutions.
“We greatly value our residents’ views, and I encourage everyone to participate in this survey.”