Council worker assaulted over flooded road closure

2 days ago

Nathan BevanSouth East

The A29 Shripney Road has been closed since the start of February after heavy rainfall caused flooding

Eddie Mitchell A junction on a road, which is covered in murky floodwater. Two large houses can be seen, and their grounds also appear to be partly flooded. — The A29 Shripney Road has been closed since the start of February after heavy rainfall caused flooding

A local authority has issued a warning to the public after one of its workers was assaulted over a road closure in Bognor Regis.

West Sussex County Council said a highways officer was injured by a motorist on Wednesday as they were to trying to restrict access to the A29 Shripney Road to residents only.

The stretch, which links the town and the A27, has been off limits to through traffic since the start of the month after heavy rain caused flooding.

It is the second incident of its kind in recent weeks with Sussex Police saying a 55-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of common assault.

She was issued with and accepted a community resolution, which includes a requirement for a written apology, the force said.

"Any attack on our officers, whether verbal or physical, is unacceptable," said council leader Paul Marshall.

Sussex Police says abusive behaviour towards those staffing the closure is "completely unacceptable"

Eddie Mitchell A drone image of a flooded junction. Water covers a huge area of road. The road is fenced off and there are two lorries dealing with the flood — Sussex Police says abusive behaviour towards those staffing the closure is "completely unacceptable"

Marshall said: "Our officers are out across the county through all weathers, day and night, fixing the problems and working to keep the public safe.

"They should be able to do this without fear of assault."

He added that, while he understood people's frustrations, the council would "remove teams from situations, thereby causing even further delays, to ensure their safety".

All abuse will also be reported to the police, said Marshall.

Insp David Greenwood from Sussex Police said: "Abuse and assaults on workers staffing these closures are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

"Officers will seek to take positive action on every occasion where offences are reported to us."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.