A NOTORIOUS road which has been plagued by flooding for years was once again covered in water after high tides wreaked havoc.

Haven Road, in the Hythe, Colchester, has long suffered from flooding woes amid a combination of high tides and lack of infrastructure to deal with heavy rainfall.

And yesterday it saw yet more chaos ensue after an alert issued by Flood Information Service warned of “danger”.

The alert said: “Tides are expected to be higher than usual, due to the forecast weather conditions during spring tides.

Gazette:

“The Strood at Mersea Island, Coast Road and car parks on the front at West Mersea, and the Hythe and Promenade at Maldon may be flooded.

“Take care on coastal roads and footpaths, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger.

“We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated of the flood risk.”

Shaun Boughton, a Wivenhoe councillor and member of Hythe Taskforce, which looks to tackle the issue, says he is “frustrated” at the same situation occurring again and again.

He said: “It’s always like a free-for-all down there when this happens. You get cars on the pavement and pedestrians getting soaked, it becomes chaos.

Gazette:

“I know we are looking at installing signage but how do you police something like that? It’s just best we shut the road when it gets like that.

“This flooding seems to be a lot worse now, especially coming out by Albany Gardens. It’s not helped by some people who find it funny to drive through as fast as they can and make massive waves.

“I just feel frustrated and sorry for the pedestrians who get off the buses in the area and have to walk through it all, not to mention the businesses who must be so fed-up.

“Every time I pop into Colchester I say I’ll go down to the Hythe to check everything is OK, it feels like I’m a caretaker there now but I just want the best for the area.

“What I can say is action is happening and people are coming together to fix the problems. Change doesn’t happen overnight but progress is being made.”