A SPECIAL team dedicated to solving the Hythe’s flooding woes has been disbanded less than two years after its inception, the Gazette understands.
The Hythe Taskforce was launched by Colchester MP Will Quince in May 2021 to finally tackle the area’s crumbling infrastructure and regenerate it.
The Hythe area of Colchester has been plagued by persistent flooding for decades, leaving residents facing lengthy waits and disrupting traders.
Experts thought they had located the source of the issue in water spilling from nearby Bourne Pond and Distillery Pond in November 2021 but later conceded they were wrong.
Now the Gazette can reveal the Hythe Taskforce has been unofficially disbanded after going months without a meeting.
Frustrated Hythe councillor Mike Lilley said the inaction is “disgusting”.
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“The Hythe Taskforce has not met since way before Christmas. We had a robust meeting and complained nothing has been done for over a year to resolve the issues,” said Mr Lilley.
“We are still being affected, residents are impacted and businesses are being flooded.
“It is disgusting that the residents have been failed. It is not good enough. If a temporary pump could be put in it could resolve the flooding issues.”
Colchester Council leader David King claimed “important progress” has been made on the issue.
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He said Essex Highways has undertaken works on road gullies and is seeking help from the Environment Agency to fund more works involving flap valves.
“There is stuff happening but the Taskforce is not,” said the council boss.
“This is a frustratingly long process. Some important progress has been made but much more needs to happen, but that does not rest with the city council.
“We will do what we can; we will assist our partners where they lead. We will encourage them to press on.”
Mr King said although the Taskforce meetings are no more, the council is happy to meet with Mr Quince again and will “continue to liaise” with Essex County Council and Anglian Water.
Will Quince was contacted for comment but did not respond.
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