Latest Update from the Environment Agency:
River wall improvement works
All ground anchors have now been installed into the new river wall. Works will continue over the next week to apply tension to the ground anchors to ensure the new structure achieves the appropriate design parameters for overall strength and stability. Backfilling up to design level will also take place to provide additional support to the newly constructed wall.
We will continue planning any further measures we may need to put in place in order to safeguard weaker sections of the river wall. We are continuing our routine site monitoring activities during this phase of the construction.
Geotechnical investigations have been taking place on the landward side in order to determine the material behind the river wall and beneath properties. This has been done to inform on the nature of equipment and methods that will need to be utilised for reinstatement and repairing damaged infrastructure. It continues to be important that these activities are appropriately delivered in a cost effective way.
We recognise that this next phase of the project will be of concern to affected residents, and will be disruptive to them. As our investigation work continues and detailed plans for re-instatement and repair develop, we will continue to work with affected residents directly. We anticipate this work will involve increased activity and movement of material and/or equipment to River Road. We apologise for any disruption this causes, and will continue to provide a forecast of key activities through these updates.
Once the construction works are complete, we are planning to repeat engineering inspections that took place prior to the start of our works. This will allow us to assess any changes that have occurred over the duration of our construction.
The large jack up barge has now been removed from the river and only some of the smaller floating equipment is remaining. This will likely be removed in the coming weeks as construction works are coming to an end. Our plans regarding the continued use of the site compounds will be influenced by the details of the reinstatement works. We will share more details on this in due course.
It remains the case that our contractor will need to make adjustments to their programme of activities (sometimes at short notice) in order to ensure the works remain on schedule and are completed as efficiently as possible.
Wall strengthening and embankment raising at Fitzalan Road
Our activities to improve the flood defences (north and south of the A27 road bridge) are now mostly complete. This includes works to the opposite side of the river where all boards have been installed. It is likely that the footpath (from A27 road bridge to the Windmill on the adjacent river bank) will remain closed for approximately 4 weeks in order to continue improvement to the crest of the river bank. It is important that the finished scheme is acceptable from a public health and safety perspective as well as providing the required level of flood protection.
We continue to work (and meet with) the riverside owners/occupiers most affected by our work at Fitzalan Road. We remain committed to reinstating their land and infrastructure to its original condition. We recognise that it is important that residents have the opportunity to agree with us exactly what and how reinstatement will be achieved at their property. If you have not done so already, please feel free to contact us directly at floodrisksussex@environment-agency.gov.uk. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us so far.
As these works are nearing completion, future updates will be focused on river wall improvement works at River Road.
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