Warning over flood defences

UNLESS more money becomes available, vital work on the Ouse flood defences, including those at Lewes, will have to be deferred for a year.

That was the harsh news being delivered today (Friday) by the Environment Agency to the Sussex Flood Defence Committee, which helps provide funding.

The Agency had asked for a 14 per cent increase in its budget to undertake works in the aftermath of the disastrous October 2000 floods.

It was, in fact, granted a nine per cent increase by the committee, largely made up of local authority representatives, in December.

Officers were telling the committee today that if the under-funding was matched by a Government shortfall, then preparatory work on the Ouse flood defences, and others, would have to be deferred for a year.

If, however, the Agency received full Government funding of 75 per cent then, by raiding balances, it would be able to keep its works programme intact.

And they added: 'The nine per cent levy increase this year means that the Agency will be seeking an 18 per cent levy increase in 2003/04 in order to maintain the needs-based flood defence programme, irrespective of the grant aid that is applied.

l A flood defence scheme for the Lewes area has yet to be agreed. The Agency has come up with a number of plans which are being looked at by experts.

They include widening the river at Cliffe Bridge, building barrages on the river north or south of Lewes (or both), lowering the river banks at certain points to create flood plains or deepening the river bed.