Open flood barrier leaves village underwater

An open tidal barrier caused part of a riverside village to flood, the Environment Agency said.

Michael Lilley, a councillor on Colchester City Council, said parts of the High Street area of Rowhedge, Essex, became submerged on Friday afternoon.

Mr Lilley, who represents the ward Old Heath and The Hythe which includes Rowhedge, said it was the second time the village had flooded since defences were installed on the River Colne about 20 years ago.

The Environment Agency said decisions to close flood barriers were based on "a range of factors" and that "on this occasion we made the call not to close the Colne barrier".

A spokesperson said: "Unfortunately this resulted in some localised, short-lived flooding of roads and gardens in Rowhedge on the peak of the tide.

"We have contacted each resident who phoned our emergency hotline on Friday to explain our procedures."

Mr Lilley told the BBC that subsidence that was caused by flooding over a quay about 10 years ago had cost the East Donyland Parish Council about £60,000 to repair.

"We rely on the barrier to protect Rowhedge from damage," he said.

"The parish council will now need to organise an inspection in case there's some kind of damage."

Simon Taylor-Williams, the landlord of Ye Olde Albion in Rowhedge, said the flooding had caused commotion among the villagers.

"It was all a bit of fun because it wasn't a particularly high tide," he said.

"Some of our older customers who have lived here for many years have said they've seen tides much higher in years gone by."

The Environment Agency added it has staff rostered every day to operate the barrier when required, which is always completed in person on site.

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