Man's anger at years of flooding in Nuthurst

Constant flooding problems have plagued a rural road in Nuthurst for years, a resident of the village has claimed.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2016, 17:08 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2016, 17:10 BST

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Frank and Barbara Chard are upset about three years of on-and-off flooding outside their rural home in Nuthurst, caused by drainage issues. Pic Steve Robards SR1603372 SUS-160102-123059001Frank and Barbara Chard are upset about three years of on-and-off flooding outside their rural home in Nuthurst, caused by drainage issues. Pic Steve Robards SR1603372 SUS-160102-123059001
Frank and Barbara Chard are upset about three years of on-and-off flooding outside their rural home in Nuthurst, caused by drainage issues. Pic Steve Robards SR1603372 SUS-160102-123059001

Nuthurst Street has been flooded for much of the last three years, according to Frank Chard, who lives on the road.

He said: “The drains outside all the houses in this area have been flooded on and off for three years.

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“They are talking about building houses right opposite us on the corner, but it is folly to think they can build on it with all this water here.

“Everyone is in cess pits. God knows what will happen in the future.”

Mr Chard and wife Barbara live at the bottom of Harriots Hill.

He explained that water flows down the hill and collects at the bottom, near the couple’s home and other properties.

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He added: “The drainage is probably years old, you don’t need to be an engineering consultant to know it has probably collapsed in the system.

“Cars are going through at 50mph, it is like motorboats going through. It is totally unhealthy.

“West Sussex Highways, health and safety and all the other agencies are blaming somebody else.”

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said: “There is a restricted flow in the ditch on the opposite side of the road to the property.

“It is holding water back and causing silting of the pipes.

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“A letter has been written to the riparian owner of the ditch requesting action be taken to clear it.

“Until this work has been undertaken by the owner of the ditch there is no point in any further jetting and clearance of the piped system.

“As soon as the ditch has been cleared we will instruct our contractor to clear out the silted pipes.”

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Related topics:West Sussex County CouncilWest Sussex Highways