A FRUSTRATED businessman says he has become so sick of the road outside his premises flooding he has no choice but to relocate his firm.

Andrew Wynne, a director of luxury car garage Velvis Cars, says the firm is actively looking for new premises due to the constant flooding of Haven Road, Colchester.

With his rent set to sky-rocket from £33,000 to £55,000 next year, Mr Wynne said there is no longer anything keeping the firm in the area.

New premises have not yet been found, but the firm could even look to leave Colchester completely in its search for a new home.

The latest round of flooding took place on Friday, when high tides in the next door River Colne meant drivers were caught up in ankle-deep flooding which spread across the road.

Gazette:

  • Cars navigate Haven Road on Friday. Picture: Max Manktelow Jnr

Mr Wynne said: “It is awful when it floods and we cannot do anything as a business.

“We can’t move cars, clean them or conduct road tests.

“Over an average year we lose between three and four weeks of work due to the flooding.

“It causes damage to our fencing and our property and at times it can even damage the inside of the showroom.

“We have had enough of it and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

“We will be moving - it is not worth us being here anymore.”

Gazette:

  • Flooding outside Velvis Cars on Friday. Picture: Max Manktelow Jnr

Essex County Council member for the area Lee Scordis (Lab, Abbey) said he was disappointed but not shocked to hear of the business’ decision.

“Sadly I am not surprised Velvis is planning to leave,” he said.

“It is disappointing they have had to make this decision and I wish them all the best for the future.

“The flooding is caused by high tides as there was no rain on Friday.

“Haven Road no longer floods when there is heavy rain as credit to Essex County Council they have sorted the drains in the area.

“Anglian Water is supposed to have done some work on the flood barriers they own.

“The river also needs dredging and I have asked Will Quince if he can lobby for funding to do it.

“Even then I fear nature is still going to take its course and cause issues.

“If nothing else we need a warning system in place such as the one on Mersea to stop people driving through.

“Unfortunately though that won’t help the businesses based there.”

Anglian Water said it’s assets were not related to the flooding problems in the area.

The Environment Agency said it was an issue for Essex County Council and Anglian Water to resolve.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “Essex Highways is responsible for the road drains on Haven Road which take surface water from rainfall into the Anglian Water drainage system.

"Essex Highways cleared all the local road drains in March this year.

“However, flooding is a complex issue in Haven Road.

"The outfall from the drainage system to the tidal river nearby is reportedly low in the wall, potentially affected by silting.

"That may be an issue for the Environment Agency, with Colchester Council owning the river wall and fishery owners are believed to control access rights.

“A full, long-term solution will depend on an overall investigation and plan, to be coordinated with all the agencies involved.”

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: “We believe the flooding on Haven Road is caused by a fault on the local drainage system - an asset which is owned by Anglian Water.

"It is therefore the responsibility of Anglian Water and the local authorities however, we are willing to provide technical advice to assist in finding a solution.”