Why does Watery Lane in Hullbridge always flood?

The key road route between Battlesbridge and Hullbridge in Essex often floods, making it impassable for most vehicles.

When Watery Lane is flooded and impassable, drivers are forced to take a four-mile diversion via Hullbridge Road, Rawreth Lane and then the A1245.

But some motorists decide to take a risk and drive through the flood water. Many often get their vehicles stuck and submerged, requiring rescue.

Watery lane is a narrow, windy road which runs through fields. In periods of heavy rain and when the fields are saturated, the water often runs off the fields onto the road.

This water running off from the surrounding fields is because in many places along the route, the fields are higher than the road.

The road is also adjacent to a number of natural watercourses and streams which can overflow during heavy rainfall.

Local residents regularly call for drainage improvements to be made to the narrow. However it’s often been reported that Essex County Council is reluctant to invest into the road because it’s not part of the ‘Strategic Road Network’. Instead their position has been to discourage motorists from using the unsuitable road.

In reality, the country lane is seen by residents, and visitors following sat navs, as a time-saving cut through.

And therefore it will always see significant traffic flows.

One local resident, Rachel Lucy, said: “This road is a nightmare. I used to commute using the road and almost every other day a larger vehicle had become stuck! Some parts of this road are too narrow for cars to pass each other safely, let alone a lorry this size!”