We must address rising water levels and increased flooding
As we head into the harsh winter months, facing troubles like flooding seems to be becoming more and more prevalent.
The brisk but sunlit days have become a distant memory, and as the years go by, the flooding gets worse. From what used to be a dry city, we are now noticing it slowing sinking under water, ripping up our roads as the levels rise.
“When will it stop?” Is the question we are hearing, as what used to be a cold but dry few months, is quickly becoming the opposite.
But the question continues to circle within our communities, as our agricultural and tranquil countryside, is quickly becoming housing as the months go on.
We cannot deny that we are seeing the effects of building on floodplains and putting pressure on our already struggling drainage system.
Although the damages are clear, the evidence seems to fall on deaf ears, as the community continues to struggle to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’.
Despite this, we continue to see huge building developments appearing, such as the new Amazon warehouse.
This, along with many other sites (including the new housing developments) are completely flooded before they have even been completed.
This, of course is very worrying for anyone wanting to buy a property and for those that live locally, facing the problems that have occurred due to this.
Nonetheless, this is quickly brushed aside, and the public are left to battle the surging water levels, which continue to cause extensive problems across West Sussex.
What used to be ‘rush hour’ seems to have turned plural, making it increasingly harder for people to get to work, school and other important daily events. Due to the impassable flooding, this has had an enormous impact on local traffic.
With the cost-of-living crisis, damages to vehicles from flooding and potholes are just another element of stress people are now having to face on a daily basis.
But why isn’t this issue being addressed? This is a question, we as a community are asking ourselves, and will continue to be until a solution is put in place.