Council Warns Drivers After Highways Worker Struck at Flooded Road Closure

A council has issued a warning to motorists after a highways worker was hit by a vehicle that drove through a road closure during flooding.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) said the incident occurred at the closure of the A29 on Monday morning when a white Land Rover forced its way past barriers and struck a member of the highways team responding to flood conditions. The worker was not injured.

The council confirmed the incident has been reported to Sussex Police and is appealing for witnesses to contact officers on 101.

Severe flooding has led to several road closures across the county, including the A29 at Shripney Road, which has been closed at the Saltbox Roundabout in Bersted since 2 February due to exceptionally high water levels. A temporary bridge is currently being constructed further north along the route to help manage the situation.

Two flood warnings remain in force in West Sussex, affecting areas around Fittleworth on the Western River Rother and Pulborough on the River Arun, where flooding is expected. In addition, 17 flood alerts are active across the county, meaning further flooding remains possible.

WSCC acknowledged the disruption caused by closures but warned that attempting to drive through floodwater can be dangerous and counterproductive. The council said such actions can delay repair work and increase the risk of flooding to nearby properties by forcing water into homes.

Drivers were also reminded that vehicles damaged by floodwater may not be covered by insurance. The council added that staff working at closures are there to protect public safety and should not face abuse.

A spokesperson said the authority was under “significant pressure” due to above-average rainfall, with prolonged wet weather overwhelming drainage systems and making road repairs more difficult.

“The unprecedented levels of rainfall continue to hamper efforts to keep roads open,” the spokesperson said. “We appreciate the frustration this causes and ask for patience while we work to resolve the issues and identify longer-term solutions.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has warned that unsettled conditions are expected to continue. Senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge said further spells of wet and windy weather are likely through the rest of the week, with no sign of a prolonged dry period over the next seven to 10 days.