FLOODING in Horsham’s Blackhorse Way Forum shows no sign of going away.
Major repair works, intended to solve the plaza’s flooding problem, have been going on since June 2008.
In January this year, Horsham District Council (HDC) and Sainsbury’s both denied that it was up to them to resolve the problem. [WSCT 12/01/2012]
The council said it was only the leaseholder, and works and design were matters for Sainsbury’s to deal with.
However a Sainsbury’s representative, who described the arrangement as a ‘long lease’, said it was not their problem.
This week’s sudden rain showers revealed that the Forum still needs work, with a huge puddle forming very quickly.
The County Times approached both parties to check whether they stood by their previous statements.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “Horsham Piazza is held on a long lease by Horsham District Council.
“We are in discussions with the Council about the flooding and until these are complete it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A statement from HDC said: “Horsham District Council leases the Forum, Blackhorse Way in Horsham from Sainsbury’s and the recent works to repair it are all the responsibility of Sainsbury’s and its contractor Carillion.
“Horsham District Council has the responsibility to maintain the limestone surface of The Forum and keep it clean and the rainwater drainage from it too.
“The Council has the responsibility to daily clean the surface, clear litter and keep the rainwater gully gratings clean.
“In the event of blockages, as we had this week, for efficiency the Council gets the gratings cleared when a flood is reported.”