Flooded roads across the county brought an extra challenge to commuters travelling through Essex.

The A127 was flooded with around six inches of water on both lanes of the London-bound track near Rayleigh Weir, causing long tailbacks.

In peak rush-hour, traffic was reduced to a crawl. The flooding came as a second blow to commuters who took to their cars to avoid today's strike action on London Underground.

Motorists were advised to take extra care and a number of roads in Braintree, Maldon and Chelmsford were impassable.

A driver had to be rescued from his car at Bulford Mill Lane, Cressing, last night.

And firefighters were called to homes around Braintree and Maldon under threat of rising water.

Firefighters were called to pump out a flooded cottage in Maldon Road, Goldhanger, and in High Garret and Shalford two homes were affected by water and mud.

Braintree fire station officer David Mayes said: "The house in Shalford was particularly bad, because the water was just running off of the fields, and this brought a lot of mud with it which blocked the drains so it couldn't run off."

A spokesman for Essex Police said flooding from rainfall had caused some difficulties but it was hoped the water would disappear during the day.

He said: "We had a bit of flooding on the A127 and St Michael's Road and Brays Lane in Hockley where a couple of cars broke down." Rochford reservoir also burst its banks.

Floods - drivers make their way slowly through the flooded A127 near Rayleigh Weir

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Making a splash - A car negotiates a flooded road at Birch.

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