Angmering and Tarring’s flood defences to be improved thanks to grant

Tarring Flood Action Group got £91,200 from the Operation Watershed Active Communities Fund by West Sussex County Council.

The money will fund the construction of a network of three rain gardens in the existing grass verges along the eastern side of Rectory Road, and two others in the western side of Rectory Road, near the Fairoak Triangle.

Rain gardens capture rainwater run-off from buildings, pavements and other hard surfaces. They temporarily store, clean and slowly release that water back into the soil or drainage system, helping communities to deal more effectively with heavy rainfall.

West Tarring Conservation Area includes areas where large amounts of water collects and flash floods have had a significant impact.

Angmering Parish Council will also be given £55,443 to renovate Cow Lane – a well-used footpath, prone to surface water flooding in heavy rain.

The money will fund drainage works that are part of a larger scheme to improve the footpath, which includes resurfacing the lane.

Six other projects will also receive grants from the £260,000 fund. Roger Elkins, county council cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said it was ‘testament to the excellent work’ by communities and via Operation Watershed, which he explained ‘supported people who want to work with the council to become more prepared for floods in their communities’.