Colchester Clingoe Hill cycle path flooded in Colchester

The Salary Brook underpass, underneath Clingoe Hill, Colchester, has been left out of action after rising water from the Colne has completely submerged the frequently used path.

It also appears that the damage caused to the railing was done by a car, with remnants of what appears to be a white van left on a nearby bank.

The smashed railing and flooded path. (Image: Newsquest)

Remnants of car material have been left on the opposite bank. (Image: Newsquest)

The key route connects the Greenstead area to the city centre, as well as providing students with a safe way to access the University of Essex.

The chairman of the Colchester Cycling Campaign said: “This is an important cycle and leisure route, used by students wanted to get to the University of Essex, as well as people from Greenstead who are trying to access the city centre. I think this needs to be dealt with urgently.

The cycle path now appears to be a foot underwater. (Image: Newsquest)

“Not only the flooding, but it also looks like a car has come off of Clingoe Hill. We hope that these repairs wouldn’t come from the public purse, but instead from the driver’s.

“We have had reports of people, particularly Ecargo bikes, who haven’t been able to get through the broken-down railings, which are causing an obstruction.

“The combination of broken railings and flooding are really disappointing and need to be dealt with urgently.

“If this was a road, we are sure that this would have been dealt with very quickly, it shouldn’t have to be left there to sit in a state of disrepair."

An alternative view of the flooding (Image: Newsquest)

Wivenhoe and Essex county councillor Mark Cory said: “This underpass has been an issue for decades now with flooding stopping it being accessible, as well as safety measures implemented for its users.

“There was also a student development where there work done on the other side of Salary Brook to help reduce flooding at the underpass, which clearly hasn’t worked too well.

“I am going to ask Essex County Council what they will do and how they will repair it, and see if there is anything that Colchester can do as they own Salary Brook nearby.

“I will try and get some support so people can use this cycle and walking path again.”