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'We can't go on like this having these floods'

George Carden/BBC Ray Palmer looking solemnly at the camera standing on the pavement where the flooding was on the road behind him. There are three detached houses behind him with cars on the driveway and Ray is wearing a green and black stripey top and has glassed on George Carden/BBC
Ray Palmer said residents are fed up with flooding in their street when it rains

A neighbourhood has been flooded three times in less than a year because an outfall pipe is regularly blocked with shingle, according to residents.

An area of Aldwick, Bognor Regis, flooded after more than 20mm of rain fell in the area on Sunday.

Faresmead resident Ray Palmer, who was stranded in his house, said local people "cannot go on like this".

Arun District Council (ADC) said it had made regular inspections of the outfall, and had instructed work where necessary.

Southern Water is in discussions with ADC about the outfall opposite West Park, and will be meeting again later in January.

Residents said the pipe fills up with shingle which blocks water from draining out.

Mr Palmer said: "This is the third time it has happened in eight months so I wasn't at all happy. We couldn't go anywhere, couldn't move the car."

Ray Palmer Flood water around a foot deep covering the entire road and up to the pavement. A red car is sitting in the flood water and some cars parked on driveways are unable to get out. A semi-detached house can be seen in the background Ray Palmer
Flooding in Faresmead on Sunday

Mr Palmer said there was "a lack of clarity" about who was responsible for the pipe.

"It needs to be extended so pebbles can't get into it," he said.

"We cannot go on like this having these floods. It was bad here, Fish Lane was even worse."

Eddie Mitchell An aerial photo of an outfall pipe spewing out water with shingle around it about 100 metres away from Fish Lane which had flooding. The pipe is surrounded by a mound of shine and the water can be seen draining in two channels out to sea. Cars can be seen parked on the seafront and there are beach hutsEddie Mitchell
One of two outfall pipes in the area with Fish Lane in the background.

Six flood alerts remain active in Sussex. The Aldwick flooding has affected several roads, including the A272 near Billingshurst.

Chris Pyett, another resident, told BBC Radio Sussex: "I feel really sorry for people who live along here.

"The water was well up onto people's gardens. One woman who moved in recently asked me if it happens often, and yes it does.

"I have friends in Fish Lane who were flooded out months after having their house recarpeted."

Arun District Council said it had been in discussion with Southern Water on the matter.

"In our last meeting, both parties engaged positively agreeing to find a resolution," a council spokesperson said.

A further meeting will take place in January following a detailed examination of the network, they added.

Eddie Mitchell A man wading through water on a residential street. He is wearing a red jacket, jeans and green wellies and has his hands in his pockets.Eddie Mitchell
Arun District Council will be meeting Southern Water again later this month to discuss the issue

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said it was aware of the flooding issues and its officers had checked roadside drains and connections it was responsible for, which were "functioning as they should".

They said: "The main drainage system and its associated outlets in the area are managed by multiple parties, including Southern Water and Arun District Council.

"Based on our observations, the water drains as it should when these outlets are clear, which suggests there are no issues with the drainage systems maintained by the county council."

However, it said it was committed to "working collaboratively" and exploring "sustainable long-term solutions" for residents.

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