A pumping station designed to prevent flooding was steeped in four feet of water during the weekend deluge, it emerged today.

The unit, in the sea wall at Chalkwell Esplanade, Southend, connected to an electrical sub-station, is designed to push rainwater into the estuary at high tide.

However, on Saturday, the downpour flooded the station, blowing the electricity which operates the pump.

That caused the water to travel back up the drains into Chalkwell Esplanade, flooding several homes. The situation was not helped by debris blocking drains.

The damaged pump is expected to be out of action for another week.

Martyn Hodder, fire station commander at Southend, said: "The failure of the pump to work definitely contributed to the severe flooding."

Four fire engines used powerful pumps to clear the worst-hit properties along Chalkwell Esplanade.

Published Wednesday August 14, 2002

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