COUNCIL workers have vowed to fix a collapsed drain which has caused “dangerous” flooding issues for four years.

Residents living near Drury Road, Colchester, say the issue has left pensioners and school children soaked by passing cars.

Dave Buckingham said repeated attempts to raise the issue with Essex County Council had failed.

He said: “The council has failed for four years, despite numerous updated reports, to fix a collapsed drain in Drury Road, Colchester, which is causing flood issues, soaking pedestrians.

“Elderly people with mobility problems have been soaked by waves of water from passing cars.

“Walking with traffic behind you, means you can’t be fast enough to avoid what a car may do.

“School children have been soaked, the drain is causing a high risk safety issue now.”

Mr Buckingham said the issue had “worsened considerably” in 2022, with the drain so wedged into the road surface the water has no way of leaving the road.

“Waves from passing cars are reaching paths and driveways of properties, as well as soaking pedestrians,” he said.

Kayleigh Rippingale, Colchester councillor for New Town and Christ Church, said: “Four years to fix a simple issue such as this shows a worrying disregard for the safety of pedestrians and a lack of interest in keeping Colchester's footpaths accessible for all of our residents, especially our disabled, children and elderly citizens who regularly use the route in their day-to-day routines.

“We must continue to push for improvements to services from Essex County Council to ensure Colchester doesn't get left behind, just as we become a city."

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “We are aware of the drainage issues along Drury Road.

"An investigation has taken place and our engineers are arranging for the drainage cover to be reset at the correct level.

“We will schedule these works to be undertaken once we have received the plans, which allow us to be aware of what utilities are in an area before we work and ensure that our workforce is able to carry out the works safely.

“We will endeavour to undertake this work before Christmas.”