DEBATE: Has Worthing been put at risk?
THOSE walking along the western promenade at Worthing today, a week after the storm, like me must have been horrified to see how much of the shingle had disappeared and how close that part of the town came to being flooded.
Its possible one more puff and the shingle defences in many places would have completely failed.
Yes the storm had coincided with one of the highest tides of the year but it wasn't that exceptional, so what had nearly caused a catastrophe?
Was it something to do with the timber still on the beach?
Although some the beach is still cordoned off it was possible to look more closely at other places where the single had disappeared and a pattern was evident, it was worse at places where the dumper trucks used for moving the timber had been climbing the shingle after driving along the sand.
Clearly they had carved out a channel for the sea to enter and erode the defences.
As others and I have commented before, the saga of the timber removal has been a disgrace, in fact nearly a disaster for the town had the sea invaded.
Surely there must be an inquiry to find out who is to blame for this incompetence, incompetence that came so close to putting parts of the town in grave peril.
On a happier note it's clear someone has listened to all the criticism as lorries have been removing the timber away from the beach - as originally suggested - but how long will it be before ALL the splintered pieces are found?
John Tyler
West Sussex Green Party
www.greenpartywestsussex.co.uk
What do you think?
Are you about flood risks?
Do you think Worthing is in peril?
How confident are you that Worthing is protected from flooding?
Share your views, comment below or:
Email: letters@worthingherald.co.uk
Write to: Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
