§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received of sea flooding along the Sussex coast in the early hours of 3 February; and to what extent such flooding will require the use of powers conferred under the Land Drainage Act 1976.
§ Mrs. FennerI have received reports of flooding which occurred when the harbour walls at Shoreham, Newhaven and Littlehampton were overtopped by the sea. A total of 109 houses were affected, as well as a small number of shops and other commercial premises. The main sea defences along the rest of the Sussex coast were not overtopped, though some minor structural damage did occur.
The powers provided in sections 17 and 98 of the Land Drainage Act 1976 enable water authorities and district councils to carry out works to maintain or improve existing flood defences, or to construct new defences. Although the precise combination of surge and high spring tide which led to these incidents is still being investigated, it is not expected that large scale repairs or improvements to the defences will be required.