CHAOS reigned once more in a spot persistently plagued by flooding as a car became trapped in water.

Haven Road, in the Hythe, Colchester, has long been notorious for flooding during heavy rainfall or high tides.

And the site was once again underwater yesterday after the tidal River Colne burst its banks while rain fell on the town, forcing the road to close.

A spokesman for Essex County Council’s travel department added a car had become stuck in the floodwater.

Fed-up Old Heath and Hythe councillor Mike Lilley has now called on environment bosses at Essex County Council to purchase a pump, which could cost £100,000, to deal with the issue.

Gazette: Chaos - flooding in the Hythe last monthChaos - flooding in the Hythe last month (Image: Newsquest)

Read more: Busy road is closed as car becomes stuck in water in Colchester

He said: “Last week I asked a question for Essex County Council to purchase a pump and install it straight away and deal with the daily flooding of Haven Road.

“The Hythe Taskforce has met for nearly a year and where are we? More flooding yesterday with the road closed.

“There has been too much talk and not enough action. Get the pump in now, stop talking and start working to help motorists and the businesspeople along Haven Road.”

Car trader Dave Smith regularly travels through the Hythe when undertaking work at his Colchester firm Auto Trade Link, but has seen business suffer due to repeated flooding.

Gazette: Problem - flooding in Haven RoadProblem - flooding in Haven Road (Image: Newsquest)

He was forced to avoid the area after dropping his daughter off yesterday morning, having to head tout of his way to make it home.

“It’s definitely getting worse and I’m really frustrated, the floods were never, ever this bad years ago,” said Mr Smith.

“The roads are mullered and it’s going to cost fortunes to resurface them. The roads aren’t meant to be underwater, of course they’re not going to cope.

“It has to be sorted as soon as possible so people can go about their daily lives without being impacted by floods.

“A pump would give us respite until a permanent solution is found and I hope we can get the funding as it is urgently needed to stop the constant flooding.

“Surely the people of a large part of Colchester are worthy of an investment of £100,000?”.