Colchester MP Will Quince demands Hythe flooding action

Motorists and businesses in Haven Road saw yet more disruption after the notorious spot became underwater again on Thursday afternoon.

Heavy rain on Wednesday evening followed by a high tide the following day brought on the latest instalment in the saga.

Motorists were seen ploughing through deep water while some had to take evasive action to avoid damaging their vehicles.

Floody hell - cars plough through water in Haven Road on Thursday (Image: Newsquest)

Colchester MP Will Quince said the incident felt like “groundhog day” for members of the Hythe Taskforce who have been campaigning to resolve the area’s flooding woes.

Mr Quince has now penned a letter demanding action to the respective leaders of Essex County Council and Colchester Council, Kevin Bentley and David King, and Anglian Water chief executive Peter Simpson.

Hythe Task Force update - the time for talk is over. Essex County Council, Colchester City Council and Anglian Water must now find and fund solutions to the Haven Road flooding. I will not re-convene the Task Force until clear commitments and delivery timelines are received. pic.twitter.com/Bt6qx7L0fc

— Will Quince MP 🇬🇧 (@willquince) August 4, 2023

He wrote: “I cannot now hide my deep frustration at the clear inaction, procrastination and failure to deliver on commitments made.

“Many people have given up considerable amounts of time attending task force meetings and I know they feel as let down as I do that meetings feel like groundhog day.”

Underwater - Haven Road was struck by floodwater again on Thursday (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Quince said he will not host another taskforce meeting until he has received a series of progress updates in writing.

He said Colchester Council must commission an independent investigation into the causes of flooding and all parties must commit to implementing any recommendations made.

County Hall has been told it should install flood warning signage and a post-flooding road-sweeping schedule for Haven Road.

The MP also called on the authority to apply to the Environment Agency for a pump to remove floodwater and tide flap.

Call for action - Colchester MP Will Quince (Image: Newsquest)

“I cannot overstate the urgency of this issue which is having a hugely detrimental impact on local residents and businesses,” he added.

“The time for talk is over, your organisations must now step up and work collaboratively to find and fund solutions to this longstanding issue.”

Hythe Taskforce member Mike Lilley added: “We want a short term solution put in place.”