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Kieran Mullan MP visits Pevensey Levels to see flood resilience improvements
Kieran Mullan MP for Bexhill and Battle visited the Pevensey Levels on Friday 21 August to see how investment through the IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Fund is strengthening critical water management infrastructure and improving flood resilience across the area.
Dr Mullan met with Revai Kinsella, Area Manager and Bill Gower, Board Chair for the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board, at Spaghetti Junction, a complex and critical drainage junction east of Hailsham where the Horse Eye Sewer, White Dyke Sewer and Rickney Sewer meet.
The Spaghetti Junction project has addressed ageing and deteriorating infrastructure at this key location, including the replacement of three culverts, installation of modern tilting weirs and repairs to eroded embankments. The improvements will strengthen the resilience of the drainage system, improve water level control and reduce flood risk to communities, farmland and infrastructure across east Hailsham.
The junction also plays an important role in protecting the internationally important Pevensey Levels, which are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar site. Effective water level management is essential to maintaining the wetland habitats and supporting the wildlife that depends on them.
Spaghetti Junction is one of a number of projects delivered by the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board through the IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement funding programme.
The programme has also delivered seven new tilting weirs across the Pevensey Levels, replacing ageing structures and providing more flexible water level management. Other improvements include the Horse Eye Culvert Replacement, repairs to the flood embankment on the Cuckmere at Alfriston, works at Milton Lock, improvements to the Freshwater Stream Tilting Weir, and investment in Drockmill Pumping Station to improve the reliability and resilience of the wider drainage system.
Revai Kinsella, Area Manager for the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board, said:
“The government’s IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement funding has enabled us to address some of the most important and vulnerable assets across the Pevensey Levels. Spaghetti Junction is a great example of this investment in action – securing a critical drainage junction, improving our ability to manage water levels and strengthening resilience for the communities, farmland and environment that depend on it.
“It was really valuable to show Dr Mullan the work that’s recently been delivered and to discuss the importance of continued investment in the infrastructure that protects this unique and internationally important landscape, particularly as the surrounding area continues to see significant growth and development. Ensuring this infrastructure is resilient and fit for the future is increasingly important as new homes and communities are built in the catchment.”
Kieran Mullan MP for Bexhill and Battle, said: “My visit to the Pevensey Levels provided a valuable insight into the hard work undertaken by the team at the Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board to protect both this important conservation area and the wider community. Spaghetti Junction, a key part of the local drainage network, plays a vital role in protecting businesses, infrastructure and surrounding farmland from flood risk. The improvements delivered through the Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Fund are helping the team address ageing infrastructure, strengthen the resilience of the drainage system and ensure it remains fit to meet future challenges.”
The projects form part of the wider programme of investment secured by Water Management Alliance Member Boards through the IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Fund, helping to recover from the 2023/2024 storm impacts and improving the resilience of critical infrastructure for the future.
Read more about the IDB Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Funding secured by the WMA’s Member Boards in our News piece; Delivering Recovery, Resilience and Lasting Impact
