URGENT PLEA FOR FLOOD DEFENCES

That is the message Lewes District Council sent to the Government on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the disastrous Lewes floods which saw 600 homes and 200 businesses inundated at a cost of 80 million.

The Government in those five years has spent 2 million on embankments around Malling Recreation Ground.

The rest of the town, particularly the historic Cliffe area, remains as it was before 2000.

And on Wednesday Lewes MP Norman Baker was told by the Government the Cliffe area will not qualify for any flood defence funding for at least the next three years.

Minister Elliot Morley said under Treasury rules, Cliffe does not meet the priority threshold for flood defence funding and is unlikely to do so for at least three years.

Said Mr Baker: 'This is completely unsatisfactory.

'The Government had a wake-up call in 2000, yet it now appears to have gone blissfully back to sleep on the issue without implementing the necessary measures to allow the people of Lewes to sleep easily.'

Cllr Ann De Vecchi, Leader of Lewes District Council, said: 'Although the first phase of this essential flood defence work has been successfully completed, there is still so much more that needs to be done.

'Funding continues to be an issue because most parts of the town haven't had any upgraded flood defences and still remain very vulnerable.

'How long are we expected to wait?

'A flood management strategy has been agreed with the Government.

'The next step is to defend the historic Cliffe area.

'We are working with the Environment Agency to bring forward detailed proposals, so that a scheme is ready if Government funding becomes available.

'What we are saying is the future of Lewes hangs on its flood defences.

'We are also saying: Pull your finger out. We want a financial commitment and we want it now.

'We have the plans, the will and the energy. The missing link is the money.

'We have been patient but our patience won't last forever.'

The cost of shoring up the Cliffe river defences could be in the region of 2.5 million '“ money well spent in the view of most local people.

After that, there is the question of defending the industrial area on the opposite side of the river from Malling, and the all-important question of flood plains to the south and north of the town.

Developers are preparing proposals for major redevelopment in the North Street area which will, subject to planning permission, include upgraded flood defences.

The Lewes flood warden network continues to flourish. There was a training day on Tuesday when wardens were introduced to new telephone warning arrangements and lessons to be learned from the Carlisle floods of January.

The council is also working on a 'climate change action plan' which sets out what can be done by the public to reduce the carbon emissions which are driving climate change and increasing flood risk everywhere.

'We are doing what we can to reduce flood risk in Lewes,' added Cllr De Vecchi.

'However, the real answer lies in a comprehensive scheme of upgraded flood defences for the town '“ and only the Government and the Environment Agency can deliver that.'