Lewes
Flood
Action

Latest News

Newsletter October 2003

What is being done?

The Environment Agency published their plans for the Ouse Valley in September 2002. They have identified 8 separate flood risk areas, or cells, in Lewes. Their research results show the number of years on average the river would be expected to overflow the current banks once. These figures can tell you how probable a flood is but not when the next flood will happen. It could be this year. If you want to know the level of risk for your property contact Ruth Jolly (see below).

The EA proposed to repair and raise flood walls in the town and, later, lower walls south of the by-pass so that high tides could flood fields. LFA considered the plan unsatisfactory because it did nothing for outlying areas and did not offer consistent standards of protection within the town. However it was better than nothing. LFA were appalled when the government (DEFRA) largely rejected these proposals because they did not reach the fundamentally flawed and complex criteria for funding. Consequently Malling Brooks is the only project currently approved. We now understand that even this work may not proceed in the near future.

The EA is reworking its plans for Lewes as part of a wider Ouse Valley strategy. These new proposals should be published before the end of the year, but first they must be submitted to DEFRA for approval. They will be expecting "top up funding" from homes and businesses with river frontage. LFA believe it is fundamentally wrong to expect existing river front property owners to pay for defences that will benefit the whole town.

The EA now publishes a newsletter every 8 weeks so that progress can be monitored. This can be found, with great difficulty, on their web site but should also be available from Lewes District Council who have received printed copies. If you have any queries please contact Ruth Jolly at the EA on 01903 703867, email ruth.jolly@environment-agency.gov.uk.

LFA, with strong support from our MP, Norman Baker, is continuing to press the Environment Agency and Central Government for funding for flood defences in general and Lewes in particular. Norman succeeded in securing a debate in the House of Commons on September 10th. Ask at his office on School Hill for a copy of his speech and Elliot Morley's response.

Insuring Your Property

Thank you all those 254 people who responded to our survey in February this year. The flood insurance situation remains uncertain. Until January 2003 the insurance industry had an agreement with the government not to substantially raise insurance premiums and other charges on houses and contents. That agreement is now ended. Only now, as our annual insurance renewals take place, will we find out how many people are being penalised by big increases for having been flooded, or even by the refusal of flood insurance altogether.

Our survey showed that, despite the agreement, a large number of Lewes people, mostly in residential properties, had flood insurance refused (45 cases) or premiums substantially increased (66 cases) or excess charges substantially increased (37 cases). What we need now is to update this information for insurance renewals in the current year. So we are launching a second survey. Once we have accurate information we can confront the insurance companies, the Government and the Environment Agency with the realities of the situation.

Our MP said in the House of Commons recently that the problem of flood insurance had "by and large gone away". Our information so far says that is not so. And so long as there are doubts about effective flood defences for the whole of Lewes the problem will not go away.

Flood Preparedness - Are we ready if it happens again?

Lewes District Council has established a flood warden network. The network is developing a regular newsletter and annual training events. The next one is planned for October. The response has been patchy and all sectors except Southover and Winterbourne need more volunteers who are willing to get to know their neighbours and their needs. Paul Rideout, the scheme co-ordinator would like to hear from anyone willing to become a flood warden. He can be contacted at the South Downs Council for Voluntary Service on 01273 483832.

It is however difficult to recruit people to a position of responsibility and maintain their interest for an event that could happen at any time but for which there is no immediate threat. When flooding is imminent it may be much easier to identify people in the community willing to help the more vulnerable around them. An alternative strategy to the current flood warden scheme is to have some nominated community leaders in flood risk areas. They would recruit extra help at times of imminent danger and provide links to the statutory authorities. This idea was considered by the local authority and initially rejected. The LFA believe it should be reconsidered.

If you have any thoughts about how we should organise local voluntary help at times of imminent or actual flooding please contact the LFA Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Duncan Macpherson. Lewes 471592, e-mail duncanmaclewes@aol.com.

This page last updated 10 January, 2006