Work is ongoing at a village plagued by severe flooding as the winter approaches.
The banks of the Cuckmere River in Alfriston and the flood embankments in place to protect the village are currently being repaired.
Alfriston is subject to consistent flooding during the winter which is caused by overflowing of the section near the village.
The A27 north of the village often is flooded also during this period and causes major traffic disruptions.
A spokeswoman for the Alfriston Parish Council said: “The flooding experienced in the village last winter was unprecedented with numerous floods from October right through to April.
“These not only caused damage to the riverbanks, roads and footpaths but also meant that roads into the village had to be closed leaving residents and businesses cut off. This severely affected local businesses as well as residents.
“We very much hope that the work being carried out now will greatly improve the situation this winter.”
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The Environment Agency said it is monitoring the mouth of the river and clearing the shingle when it becomes necessary.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "In the winter we install a mobile pump at Alfriston to help move surface water, groundwater, and occasional fluvial flood water into the Cuckmere.
“In the tidal Cuckmere we have embankments along the river that enable the adjacent land to be farmed. During high flows, these embankments overtop.”
It said that in the surrounding area of the Cuckmere, the board is directly responsible for the management of the Freshwater Stream, which flows parallel to the River Cuckmere and connects into it north of the Exceat Bridge.
"We are working with several partners including the Environment Agency, East Sussex County Council, Wealden District Council and Natural England to manage flood risk within our drainage district in the Cuckmere catchment," said a WLMB spokesman.
“We recently completed the repairs to the flood embankment at Alfriston, which had suffered from erosion due to cattle and foot traffic. We repaired the embankment, giving it a robust profile and consistent level.”
On September 23, the WLMB will begin some targeted de-silting of the River Cuckmere between the footbridge, White Bridge and Deans Place Hotel.
De-silting involves removing silt from structures or sections of river bed.
The spokesman for the WLMB added: “The Environment Agency continue to manage the River Cuckmere and undertake work at the Exceat Beach, to remove shingle blockages as and when required.
“This joint working is aimed at balancing the needs of the local community with the environmental elements of this valley.”
The aim is to mitigate flood risks within the area and provide the village with the necessary protection.
The spokeswoman for Alfriston Parish Council added: “Alfriston Parish Council is extremely grateful to The Pevensey and Cuckmere Water Level Management Board for their work on the Cuckmere River, particularly in relation to the recent repairs to the embankment and the desilting work currently being carried out at Alfriston.”
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