Dam builder tells of flood denial

Villagers spilled out into the streets to see the first floods

Few people in the village of East Peckham would admit there was a problem after floods swept through in 2000.

Fears of being refused insurance led to only 12 people saying their homes were at risk at a meeting about a new dam.

Engineer Ian Walton said to get funds for defences people had to admit the problem. He had a dozen responses.

He designed the dam now keeping a stream from 50 homes, but 198 remain at risk from a river. Insurers say cover is to remain as available as possible.

People remember the 2000 floods as being the worst.

DAMAGE LIMITATION ADVICE Tile and seal the ground floor Use rugs which can be stored, instead of carpet Invest in a solid wood or plastic kitchen - chipboard cannot be dried or disinfected Or have free-standing kitchen furniture that can be moved or raised Fit easily removal doors Buy air bricks with removal covers to help dry out properties after floods Raise electrical wiring, sockets and switches Installing anti-backflow valves in drains and sewers Source: Environment Agency In Pictures: East Peckham floods

"It was a big novelty when it first happened," Natalie Jenning, 38, said.

She remembers people canoeing in the roads in the first floods singing the Hawaii Five-O theme tune - the 1970s TV theme was accompanied by pictures of men battling the surf in kayaks.

"But the second time it happens, you think 'not again' and the third time you ask what is going to be done about it and you risk losing things," Ms Jenning added.

Villagers say it is after the sewage and silt-laden waters have receded leaving an damp, stagnant smell, and a thick, black, contaminated sludge that the misery of cleaning up becomes apparent.

The East Peckham dam protects 50 houses from the Coult Stream

Civil engineer and dam designer, Mr Walton said: "Fifty years ago, houses had no carpets or electrical items - they were stone cottages with oak.

"Now, a millimetre of water is a complete disaster."

Some of the houses that were affected in East Peckham were old, stone cottages which were lower than the road - but others had been built as recently as 1960.

Mr Walton said: "People are building on flood plains.

"If you decide to exclude water, it has to go somewhere else."

The earthfield dam is made of Weald clay and covered in grass

But he said: "You can engineer your way out of anything providing you are prepared to spend money on it."

According to the Environment Agency, about 2m homes in England and Wales are at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea.

Last month, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) called for more action to minimise flood risks in Sussex.

Director general Stephen Haddrill called for sustained investment, innovative building design and protection, and scrutiny of the use of flood plains.

He said: "Where the flood risk is managed, insurance remains readily available.

"And where the risk remains high, the ABI and its members are keen to work with local communities to see what steps can be taken."