Ditch the problem! It’s that time of year when riparian ditch owners look to cut back the years growth in their ditches before winter returns in earnest. The county council is keen for riparian owners, who are responsible for the upkeep of their ditches, to clear them out. Ditches are watercourses designed to drain the surrounding area or hold water. Removing vegetation, grass, weeds, shrubs or any other debris helps water run freely and prevents flooding. Keeping local watercourses well maintained benefits the community as a whole. If an area experiences constant flooding, this becomes a nuisance to the community, can restrict access to property, makes everyday living difficult, and results in considerable expense and inconvenience for those that have been flooded. As part of the Parish and Town Councils ongoing work to support reducing flood risk impacting residents in your local area, we would encourage you to raise awareness and promote what people can do to reduce the risk of flooding. The Riparian Ownership and Responsibilities material available on our website to download will provide useful practical information and guidance for landowners and residents. Please promote through your local newsletter or communication the electronic posters and leaflets or if you prefer hard copies we have a small supply of posters available if you request through operation.watershed@westsussex.gov.uk |