A CASH injection of £100,000 could be used to install a “robust” valve to help keep rising tidal water from submerging a road long plagued by flooding.
Adam Fox, Colchester Council’s deputy leader, told the authority’s cabinet a business case had been prepared by Essex County Council for the funding.
He said the bid, to the Environment Agency, involved work around drainage system valves near the flood hotspot, at the Hythe.
“We know there’s £100,000 of Environment Agency grant set aside to do that,” he said.
He said he hoped another £50,000, set aside by a developer, could be put towards the funding of a £100,000 pump as a temporary resolution.
Addressing the cabinet, Mike Lilley, Old Heath and Hythe ward councillor, said agencies involved in finding a solution “don’t appear to be getting anywhere whatsoever”.
“It floods every month, it’s now started again already,” he said.
“We do have a temporary measure we could put in place, that’s to put the pump in. That would help all the businesses along there, it will help motorists going backwards and forwards.
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"We have £50k from a developer from down there and now all we need is the rest of the half gathered from everybody involved in this.”
He said the fire service could operate the pump when needed.
A Hythe Taskforce was set up in May 2021 with an aim of bringing together agencies to tackle the problem, but the group has not met since November.
Its founder, Colchester MP Will Quince said he would be “more than happy” to arrange another meeting at the earliest opportunity.
“I originally set up the Hythe Taskforce with the aim of bringing key stakeholders together to address not only the flooding but also other concerns at the Hythe,” he said.
“The flooding at the Hythe has taken precedence and is a complex issue which requires a number of stakeholders to work together to solve.
“Since the last taskforce meeting in November, I am not aware of any significant developments.”
An Essex County Council spokesman said it continues to work with Colchester Council, Anglian Water and the Environment Agency.
“We are exploring funding sources for the installation of a robust rubberised flap valve to help reduce tidal water rising through local drainage systems,” he said.
"This system is still being costed and once purchased, it is hoped experienced Anglian Water operatives will lead on installation.
"This is just one step we are taking in the multi-agency push to ease flooding in this part of Colchester.”
'This isn't supposed to be Mersea Island'
Hythe car trader Dave Smith, who started a petition to see funding put in place for a pump, said: “It’s worse at the moment because of heavy rain.
“But if you know you’ve got to get somewhere, if you’ve got to use Haven Road, to be on time you need to know if it’s high tide.
“This isn’t supposed to be like Mersea Island, it’s a road in the Hythe.”
But artist Lynn Ballard, who was born and raised in New Town, said her research on the issue showed the problem stems from a “damaged or semi-open flap”.
She said: “It is allowing the river water to flow back up Distillery Lane and submerging Haven Road. We have watched it happen.
“A simple idea would be to stick an exploratory camera down into the mud at the end of the drain outlet from Distillery Lane a few yards along King Edward Quay.
“Being a main artery into Colchester, and the planned 9,000 home garden community linking the A120 to Clingoe Hill, this bit of road will be under even more stress.”
Lynn said she feared a pump would be “useless”.
“I have lots of people on my Colchester History Hub pages who have also been discussing the issue with me,” she said.
“When the river was working there was a dredger and crew employed to keep the river clear of silt.
“With the big ships then able to turn in the circle, it was kept clear.
“Since the big road bridge went in and the new 'promised' turning circle for the ships never materialised, the river has become silted up.
“The end of the pipe coincides with a big build up on the King Edward quay side near the red light ship.
“The boat moored nearby has had to extend his pontoon out into the river because of the mud build up.”
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