RESIDENTS living along the River Colne were forced to hold back the water after the river burst its banks.

Water poured into the villages along the river on Thursday for the second time in two weeks after five inches of rain fell in just two days.

Shops in Wakes Colne were at the mercy of the water according the owner of the village post office and shop Chris Eaton. 

Mr Eaton, 78, is no stranger to flooding as his home had two feet of water back in 2001 causing major disruption to his home and business.

Since then he keeps his own supply of barriers, sand bags, flood and Go Slow signs to help the community and protect the property, which sits on The Street by the bridge over the river.

However, Mr Eaton says despite contacting the authorities for help, no action was taken.

He said: “I was worried I was going to be flooded again, so I contacted the Colchester Council and asked them to close the road but they refused.

“Essex Highways sent an assessor over with a clip board but said they couldn’t close the road off until after it came into my property.

“Well, the horse would have bolted by then so I put the up a road notice saying Go Slow, sandbags and small barrier myself.”

Mr Eaton said water from The Street was rising at the shop entrance every time cars went through the flood waters too quickly.

As a result, the shop as well as The Swan Inn, which sits just the other side of the bridge in Chappel, began to prepare for the worst with water on the verge of coming in.

Mr Eaton was also told by the council he wasn’t allowed to put up notices and barriers and was told to remove them, despite several cars breaking down mid flood and blocking the road.

Mr Eaton added: “We ensured the post office could still operate and customers could still access the shop with care and the waters are now thankfully reducing until next time.”

Essex Highways have been approached for comment.