Worthing chosen to pilot new flood prevention plan

Worthing has been selected to pilot a new approach to flood prevention under West Sussex County Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The Teville catchment, stretching from north of Findon through Worthing and Sompting to the coast, will be the first area to receive a detailed Catchment Management Plan.

The strategy aims to tackle flooding across entire water catchments rather than focusing on individual problem locations. Council assessments identify urban Worthing as an area of particular concern, with surface water, pressure on sewers and tidal effects on drainage contributing to flood risk. The council is working with partner organisations and local stakeholders to identify practical measures, including improved drainage, flood-risk mapping and natural ways of slowing and storing water.

Worthing West county councillor and Labour Group leader Martin McCabe welcomed the decision and urged residents to report recurring flooding problems. He said local knowledge would be important in developing the plan, particularly where roads flood regularly, drains struggle or water collects after heavy rain. Mr McCabe said the approach should help authorities understand vulnerable communities and invest in measures to reduce future flooding.