Traders fear a multi-million pound sewage scheme will turn an area devastated by floods into a ghost town and destroy its economy.

Planners, councillors and community groups in Lewes have also warned the town will grind to a halt when work begins.

Southern Water is planning to spend £14 million on the project, which will see the creation of two tunnels underneath the centre of the town, measuring a total of 1,150 metres.

Work is expected to begin in November and will take about 16 months.

The project is needed because the town's 20 sewage overflow pipes, which release sewage and flood water into the River Ouse, need to be replaced.

During storms, the existing pipes fill with rain water and overflow into streets and watercourses. The proposed tunnels would carry up to two million gallons of treated sewage to a new outfall structure in the river.

East Sussex County Council is considering the planning application lodged by Southern Water and Lewes District Council has been asked for its views.

A report from Lewes planning officers states: "The immediate effect of the works, which will take place in a phased programme, will be localised. However, as people move around the town they will encounter the effects of the works, especially the high number of large vehicles associated.

"The implementation of this scheme is likely to have a significant impact on the town's economy, its tourism, availability of car parking facilities and the town's general historic environment. There is little evidence from the information submitted what measures have or will be put in place to minimise such impact."

The tunnels would stretch from Southover High Street in the south and Brook Street in the north, to a new pumping station in Pinwell Road. Existing sewers in Offham Road, the Paddock Sports Ground, Talbot Terrace, Pelham Terrace and Brook Street also need extending.

A new overflow system is proposed for the car park behind the magistrates court and a new waste transfer and treatment facility is planned for the pumping station off Ham Road. An overland pipe associated with the facility would run through the Railway Land, which lies in a conservation area.

Friends of Lewes, Pells Amenities Group, Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes Town Council are also concerned.

The Chamber of Commerce is worried the disruption to traffic and closure of the magistrates' court car park will drive visitors away from the town.

Executive committee member Kevin Scott, who runs Herbert Scott and Co financial advisers in High Street, said: "There is already a serious lack of car parks in Lewes.

"If there is nowhere to park and serious traffic delays because the roads are being dug up, people may well not bother coming into Lewes at all."

Colin Tompsett's home in Talbot Terrace was devastated by the storms of 2000, when the River Ouse flooded the street. Work on the sewage system will not solve the problem of river flooding but will prevent sewage overspill into Pells Lake near his home.

He said: "It is horrible when we have a terrific downpour because sewage goes into the lake so we are thankful something is being done about the problem. But the scheme is clearly going to cause disruption over a long period and the major works to prevent river flooding have not yet begun."

No one from Southern Water was available for comment. The planning committee will discuss the proposals next Tuesday.

Tuesday August 26, 2003