A £1.5 million scheme to reduce the risk of flooding to the Cliffe area of Lewes has now got the go-ahead following approval by Lewes District Council's Planning Committee.

The Cliffe area of Lewes was just one part of the town that experienced severe flooding in 2000 and a design has been developed to improve the flood defences on the east bank downstream of the Phoenix Causeway. The Regional Flood Defence Committee has agreed for local funding to be used for the scheme that will reduce flood risk for 224 properties.


Mark Douch, Area Flood Risk Manager, said: "We will never be able to stop flooding from happening altogether but since the devastating floods in 2000 we have been looking at ways to reduce the flood risk in Lewes. We have now identified our preferred options for improvements to the Cliffe area and we plan to start construction work in the spring now that approval has been granted from Lewes District Council."

The work to be carried out will improve the look of the flood walls in the Cliffe are by providing a sympathetic design appropriate to the location. To ensure continued access to the River Lodge Surgery and riverside walkway, a flood gate will be include within the design of the wall. The work is expected to take until Autumn 2009 to complete and the Environment Agency will work closely with residents and businesses to minimise disruption.

(CD/JM)