Flooding on roads at Tilling Green led to worries that the ageing Marley Road pumping station had failed during last weekend’s Storm Goretti, with residents criticising Southern Water’s response to their calls.
Elsewhere in Rye a broken sewer led to repairs and delays on the A259 Winchelsea Road and a flood warning was issued for all three local rivers on Friday 9 January. More heavy rain is expected on Thursday 15 January.
Residents on Marley Road had difficulty contacting Southern Water said Anthony Kimber from REACT – Rye Emergency Action Community Team. “It was reported that the Southern Water pump appeared to have failed. As a result, water levels rose in the road and threatened homes. Not only were the emergency telephone lines difficult but when calls did get through, engineers failed to respond. Sadly there is a record of this sort of poor response.”
He explained how the Marley Road pump is one of two which are vital in keeping Tilling Green dry. “They both have sump tanks into which the road drains empty and from these, the electric pumps, using Archimedes screws, evacuate the water through the flood defence banks into the River Tillingham. The pumps are old and have been problematic during the last 20 years. In 2023 the Henley Close pump failed, resulting in surface water flooding in Lea Avenue, Pottingfield and Cooper Roads. East Sussex Fire and Rescue had to deploy their pumps to reduce surface water to keep it out of homes.”
REACT is now calling for up-to-date numbers and better call out links for residents.
Southern Water has been contacted for comment.
Repairs to the broken sewer on Winchelsea Road in Rye began on Saturday 10 January. Traffic lights were in place until 14 January, and last weekend there were a large number of tankers near the junction with Harbour Road.
A spokesperson for Southern Water explained what was happening. “Our teams are currently working to repair a burst sewer pipe on Winchelsea Road in Rye. We have had eight tankers on, working to manage flows and minimise any environmental impact. Traffic management is in place on Winchelsea Road while we carry out the repair as quickly and safely as possible.”
Image Credits: Anthony Kimber , Peter Connock .