Flooding in Fishbourne

Flood risk, drainage, and the impact of the harbour

Fishbourne's low-lying position on the coastal plain, adjacent to the tidal Chichester Harbour, means that flooding is a recurrent concern for parts of the village. The combination of high tides, heavy rainfall, and poor drainage can cause water to back up through the drainage system and onto roads and into properties.

The areas most at risk are those closest to the harbour and the lower-lying parts of the village near Fishbourne Creek. During exceptional high tides, particularly when these coincide with storm surges and onshore winds, tidal water can encroach onto the land. The Environment Agency monitors flood risk in the area and maintains flood defences where they exist.

Surface water flooding is a separate but related issue. The flat terrain means that rainwater drains slowly, and the drainage infrastructure in parts of the village was not designed for the intensity of rainfall events that climate change is making more frequent. Blocked ditches and culverts can exacerbate the problem.

Properties in the flood-risk areas may face higher insurance premiums and difficulty obtaining cover, though the government's Flood Re scheme has improved the situation for many householders. Prospective buyers should check the Environment Agency's flood maps before purchasing property in the village.

The long-term outlook is for increasing flood risk as sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more frequent. The Chichester Harbour Conservancy and the Environment Agency have published assessments of the harbour's vulnerability, and the management of flood risk is an ongoing concern for the village and the wider coastal plain.