MOTORISTS experienced traffic chaos after a car broke down in the middle of a flooded road, with one driver saying: “It was bedlam out there”.

The Hythe, in Colchester, became engulfed in water on Thursday, according to drivers who attempted to make their way through Haven Road.

The problematic area has been plagued by persistent flooding for decades, frequently resulting in delayed journeys for motorists and disruption to nearby traders.

Steve Johnson, who has lived in the city for some 20 years, witnessed the all too familiar situation unfolding yet again as he made his way home.

Gazette:

Mr Johnson, who was behind the wheel of a transit van, said a vehicle had suffered a breakdown – believed to have been caused by the water - in Haven Road.

He said: “It was absolute chaos and the road was just completely underwater.

"The water was very, very deep and a car was stuck heading towards Rowhedge on the right side.

“If you were driving a low sports car you would have had no chance. I reckon it was about a foot deep – it was at least up to the kerb edge.

“The driver was stranded in the water but nobody could get out to help them. Motorists, myself included, had to go up the pavements to get around.

“I kept my revs up and thankfully managed to get through it but I felt so sorry for the poor person stuck in the water. It is not fair.”

The latest flooding in The Hythe comes just over a week after Colchester MP Will Quince stressed a taskforce set up to combat the age-old issue was still in operation.

The group was launched by Mr Quince in May 2021 with the aim of finally tackling the area’s crumbling infrastructure but its members have not met-up since November.

“Flooding here is an ongoing problem and it is frustrating,” added Mr Johnson, who lives in Rowhedge.

“Something needs to be done because it is not fair when people just want to get on with their everyday lives.

“It is hard enough getting around Colchester at the best of times let alone when it floods.”