“We will continue to evaluate conditions daily and may stop the route again if the weather changes or if we consider there is a risk to customer safety. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.”

The road had to be closed for the second time after the area ‘received an estimated two weeks’ worth of rainfall’ in a 24-hour span.

A West Sussex Highways social media statement on Thursday morning added: “Following an inspection this morning, Shripney route is flooded, and as a result, the route has been closed for safety and property protection.

“Pumps remain on site and are constantly diverting water into a nearby watercourse; however, the system is currently overloaded due to the high volume of water.” We will continue to closely monitor the issue and take additional action if needed.”

On Thursday afternoon, firefighters responded to a flood-hit road and rescued a stranded driver.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service stated on Thursday (February 19): “We were called at 1.21pm to rescue a person from floodwater on Shripney Road in Bognor Regis.

“Joint Fire Control sent one fire engine to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the crew saw a car stranded in floodwater. Firefighters rescued someone from the vehicle. The crew left the area about 2:15 p.m.

Residents were commended for their patience and understanding, but those who ignored the road closure received an important warning.

According to a spokeswoman from West Sussex County Council (WSSC), drivers should not ignore road closure signs. They are in place to ensure everyone’s safety. If you observe a road closure sign, you must take an alternative route. Floodwater might be deeper than it appears and may conceal risks beneath the surface.

“Driving through floodwater may also invalidate vehicle insurance, so drivers should check with their insurer. Vehicles driving through flooded regions can also cause waves that push water into surrounding gardens, roads, and homes, generating further problems for inhabitants. We respectfully request that cars observe marked diversions and avoid entering any flooded roadways.

An earlier WSSC statement stated that the ‘exceptionally heavy rain’, along with high tides, had’resulted in serious flooding’. This made the route ‘unsafe for drivers’ starting at 6 a.m.

The county council added:

“Teams are working tirelessly to reopen the route as soon as it is safe to do so.” Pumping activities are beginning to pump water from the highway into a nearby ditch, as agreed with the landowner. However, due to the volume of rainfall, the drainage outlets now in use are overburdened, preventing the road from being cleaned to a safe level at this time.

“With more rain expected, we cannot rule out additional closures even when the road reopens, but we will continue to watch the situation attentively and keep our pumps going.

The county council is collaborating with Arun District Council and the Environment Agency to address the ongoing and complex flooding situation in the area. These research build on previous work conducted following similar flooding episodes in the winter of 2023-24.

“We propose to commission a detailed review of the reasons for flooding in the area and establish the opportunities for reducing the extent and risk of further flooding and improve the resilience of the roads.”

Before the road was closed for the second time, temporary ramps and traffic lights were built, along with a decreased speed restriction.

WSCC proposed ‘leading and funding investigative works’ during a meeting earlier this month with agencies such as Arun District Council and the Environment Agency. The goal is to ‘find long-term solutions to this recurring and complicated challenge’ with’support from our partners’.

The statement continued, “This will draw on past examinations into the causes of floods and the problems of responding that we performed following comparable situations in the winter of 2023-2024.

“We propose to commission a detailed review of the reasons for flooding in the area and establish the opportunities for reducing the extent and risk of further flooding and improve the resilience of the roads.”

Council builders built a temporary ramp over the floods on Sack Lane to ‘allow vehicle access for all residents’.

After the road was reopened, Councillor Greenway told this publication that he was ‘delighted’ to see it back in use. But the long-time resident of Bersted accurately warned that ‘we’re not out of the woods yet,’ adding: “We are at the mercy of the weather.”