Flood warning signs could be installed in Haven Road, Colchester

Colchester MP Will Quince hosted the first meeting of the new Hythe Task Force on Friday.

The group, including representatives from Essex County Council, Colchester Council, Anglia Water and Essex University, has been formed to try and tackle long-standing flooding problems in Haven Road.

Haven Road has been flooding for almost 60 years and is covered with inches of water almost every time there is a high tide in the nearby River Colne.

Cars have been regularly breaking down in the flood waters after unsuccessfully trying to get through the tide.

Last week, one mischievous resident, Bryony Coles, decided to highlight the flooding issue by riding her kayak down the road in the early hours of the morning.

Floody hell! - Bryony Coles took a kayak down Haven Road in Colchester during early morning high tide

Mr Quince said the first meeting of the new task force had been productive and the group had agreed a number of things to look at going forward.

These include the possibility of installing temporary signage to alert drivers to when the road will flood.

Exploratory work on the valves and drainage options in the area is set to take place and the authorities will investigate if there is potential to close tidal barriers more frequently.

The taskforce also agreed to investigate the dredging of the River Colne and explore potential pumping options.

Read more:

• WATCH: Resident kayaks down flooded Haven Road in Colchester
• Letter: 'There's no excuse for lack of flooding action'
• Delays in Colchester as two cars break down in Haven Road floods

Mr Quince said: "Productive first meeting of the Hythe Task Force

"I would like to thank everyone for coming together to address issues locally and look at opportunities for regeneration.

"Today we focussed on flooding and a number of actions were agreed and we will reconvene in two weeks."

Flooded - Haven Road in Colchester floods almost every time there is a high tide in the River Colne. Picture: Lisa Hewitt

Other issues, such as the Hythe's ongoing regeneration and the collapsing quayside on the Wivenhoe to Rowhedge footpath will also be investigated by the group.

Labour ward councillor Adam Fox said: "A positive first meeting. People and organisations committed to solving the problem and taking responsibility for the issues collectively.

"We know there are a range of other issues that need tackling too including the sewage works."