A CAMPAIGNING councillor brought out his trusty rubber ducks to demonstrate the worsening flooding problems in his ward.

Dave Harris says dodgy drains across his area are causing water to build up in huge puddles in the road after it rains.

The issue has become so bad residents are regularly getting splashed with water while waiting for buses at stops in both Mersea Road and Berechurch Hall Road.

Mr Harris said the situation was not acceptable and it appeared to be getting worse.

He said: “People at the bus stops are getting wet from passing cars.

“The cars cannot avoid the deep water.

“Despite this, the problem hasn’t been given proper priority, which is very disappointing.”

Mr Harris said the issue was likely related to the drains in the area, which he says have not been maintained properly and appeared to be blocked up.

He said at one particularly bad section of road, the drains were not flowing at all.

“The Berechurch Hall Road junction with William Harris Way and Lethe Grove is flooding as the drains across to the south side of road is not flowing.

“I don’t think the drainage system gets the maintenance it needs.

“I also believe things are getting worse.

“The impact of climate change needs more than mere lip service - it needs action to upgrade our infrastructure.”

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Mr Harris said he had raised the drainage issues with Essex County Council on several occasions.

He added: “There has still been no action despite repeated reports.”

An Essex Highways spokesman apologised to anyone who had been soaked by floodwater from the roads.

“We are very sorry if anyone has been splashed at any of our bus stops by road users driving inconsiderately,” he added.

“We routinely clean out drains in each area as part of our cyclical drain cleansing programme, this will include the drains in Colchester.

“Unfortunately, recently we have experienced a high level of rainfall, which will inevitably cause temporary flooding whilst the water is being filtered down the drains.”