Pagham homes face flood threat

The catastrophe would see a further 35 properties in the West Front Road area cut off by sea water. Another 60 on the beach estate would suffer severely disrupted access from flooding.

It is estimated the cost of the damage wreaked by the natural disaster would be about 47m.

The potential disaster has been caused by a change to the natural cycle of shingle deposits along Pagham Beach. This stalling of the sea's actions in the past four years has narrowed the seafront by up to five metres in the six months to last March to raise the risk of a breach by waves.

The flooding could occur in the next two to five years or even sooner if a severe storm hits the low-lying area where many roads are below sea level. This is causing considerable concern.

Arun District Council principal engineer Roger Spencer said in a report the erosion seemed to be occurring because of a build-up of material on the spits, banks and bars around the Pagham Harbour channel and its mouth.

This shingle was usually moved on to the beach on a four to five year cycle to result in a relatively stable situation with a long-term risk of erosion.

"There are few options open if the risk of breach is to be avoided," Mr Spencer warned. "The 'do nothing' option amounts to a wait and see if a storm does the work. Unfortunately, as time goes by, the magnitude of storm necessary to reform the channel and drive the spits on to the Pagham side increases.

"We end up hoping for a magnitude of storm that is likely to cause massive damage along the remainder of the coastline."

Arun wants to carry out a detailed study to find out how best to correct the increased erosion.

The first stage in the process was agreed by the council's policy development scrutiny committee last Thursday.Members decided the Environment Agency should be asked to pay the estimated 125,000 cost of the work.

The decision has to be approved by the council's cabinet of senior members on December 10. If that is given, it is expected the survey will take place early next year.