Villages prone to flooding are poised to gain much-needed infrastructure improvements as a water company prepares to invest £4.4 million.

Marden is one of four places expected to benefit from Southern Water’s initiative in an attempt to reduce the risk of flooding as it looks to bolster its wastewater networks.

The company is looking to seal up sewer pipes and manhole covers to prevent groundwater overflowing its systems, all while investigating new development and what impact it has had on the current infrastructure.

Marden has been susceptible to flooding, suffering recently thanks to the wettest 18 months since records began in 1836.

In 2020, a family spoke of their heartbreak at finding sewage flooding into their historic home for the sixth time.

In the same year, three cars and a lorry became stuck in water that had risen way above normal levels.

The village will see £862,000 of the money be invested into its infrastructure with the rest shared amongst Hellingly in East Sussex (£1.2million), Sayers Common (£1 million), and Shripney (£1.2 million) in West Sussex.

Across all four schemes, Southern Water will also review its pumping stations and storage tanks, to identify any further upgrades needed.

The company will work alongside the Environment Agency and local councils to work out how best to improve the infrastructure.

Southern Water project lead Joseph Whitehead said: “We are working hard to play our part in reducing flooding across our network and we’re focusing our attention on areas that have been particularly badly impacted by flooding, especially from groundwater.

“We’re sorry for any disruption our work in these areas will cause and appreciate the communities' support.

“Flooding is a complex issue that requires collaboration to tackle effectively.

“This is why this work is being done through partnerships with councils and the Environment Agency, especially in light of climate change.”