IN THE wake of yet more heavy rainfall this month, money for new and ongoing flood defence projects has been released by the government.
Environment secretary Owen Paterson announced the schemes which have been given the green light – several of which will bring relief to hundreds of homes in the Chichester district.
Properties in Bridge Road, Emsworth, will benefit from £1.7m of funding for a flood alleviation scheme, which will protect 65 houses in the Havant borough.
Government funding to complete work at West Wittering has been given the go-ahead, with hopes that the flood banks project will be completed within the next three months.
The Medmerry realignment programme, which started last year, is on track to be completed by autumn. New sea defences will be built between Bracklesham and Selsey, and land will be created for intertidal habitats.
The work will include construction to improve the sewage system in Selsey.
Chichester District Council has also won a funding bid for a beach management programme to protect the coastline at Selsey, Bracklesham and East Wittering. Fluvial work in Bosham will take place if funding can be secured from the community.