Following the surface flooding in November in Hassocks, local group, HKD Transition propose the formation of community flood teams. Each group will focus on key areas of the village which are prone to surface flooding, particularly during periods of leaf fall that may clog the drains as was the case in November.

The Drain Busters teams could help with leaf clearing in Autumn, to complement council efforts. They could also co-ordinate storage (and shared awareness) of brushes, rakes and sandbags, liaising with the fire brigade and West Sussex Council for any drain clearing or pumping issues. It is hoped that each ‘team’ will have its own WhatsApp group or a telephone tree (or whatever communication tool works for its volunteers) enabling the team to respond quickly if needed. HKD Transition will put the team members in touch with one another so each group can decide how best to operate.

In the meantime, the debris dams built by our volunteers in Lag Wood this year to slow the flow of flood water are holding up really well as the image demonstrates. If you would like to be involved in either project please email herring@hkdtransition.org.uk

Please visit www.hkdtransition.org.uk for more information about HKD Transition.

On Saturday 26th October, Hassocks was affected by flooding. In Keymer Road, water flooded shops near Spitalford Bridge. Kelly Harding of Bella June comments, “the entire community came together on that wet and cold evening - how incredible! There were people clearing the drains, the fire brigade pumping, people helping to clear the shops... just such a wonderful community. We are endlessly grateful for the support and help we received and continue to receive. Totally overwhelmed by the love of the Hassocks community. I wouldn’t want my shop anywhere else despite the flood risk!” Kelly is looking for nearby temporary premises which Bella June might use for about a week while the ruined floor is replaced.

Hayley Elphick of Reflex@42 recalls, “it was a terrible Saturday night to be honest, coming after everything that’s already happened this year. Thankfully, we now have sandbags, some angel of a man turned up at midnight with them and I cried all over the poor man!”

Juliet Merrifield, of HKD Transition, explains how the flooding happened: “surface water poured downhill to the lowest point. The drains were blocked with leaves blown off by the strong winds.” To help slow the flow of rainwater, Juliet suggests, “we can reduce the runoff from hard surfaces by planting trees, harvesting water from roofs into water butts and making sure driveways are permeable.” HKD Transition have been working to reduce pressure on local flooding pinpoints such as Spitalford Bridge. Margaret Ford of HKD Transition commented, “the flooding in the Parklands Road area might have been a great deal worse.” The Floods and SuDS group is a partnership between HKD Transition and Hassocks Community Organisation, with a lot of support from the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust. The group have initiated various local flood interventions, such as the Rain Garden in Adastra Park. A couple of weeks ago, a group of twenty-five volunteers, working in bubbles of six and following social-distancing rules, were out mending dams in Lag Wood.

The owner of Lag Wood, Paul Roberts, provided chestnut stakes for the group and helped conduct a recent survey to monitor the condition of each dam. Alistair Whitby, of HKD Transition, explains: “these dams are essentially a couple of stakes in the riverbed with debris behind it. They’re designed to be leaky and are beneficial for biodiversity.” The water that forms behind the debris dams is beneficial for wildlife like macro-invertebrates, damselflies, dragonflies, coots and kingfishers. During high rainfall events, these dams can hold back a significant amount of water. Alistair adds, “it’s a natural way of making sure the water’s not running down into the village all at once. The key thing is to slow up the speed with which water hits a barrier. Spitalford Bridge can only hold so much water so as soon as the water is reaching it at a greater speed, the water starts backing up.”

Alistair comments, “climate change is exacerbating these high rainfall events and any way of holding the water back and releasing it more slowly is what we’re trying to do.” HKD is looking for more volunteers. To get involved, see www.hkdtransition.org.uk/flooding

Community flood teams proposed for Hassocks

Flash flooding in Hassocks high street