Heavy rainfall caused rush-hour chaos as flooding brought traffic to a standstill and closed schools.

In Halstead, flood water on the A1124 Colchester Road, near the junction for Greenstead Green, caused severe delays and hold-ups throughout the town last Friday, with reports of cars becoming stuck.

Flooding was also reported on the A131 in Bulmer Tye and in villages including Great Yeldham, Toppesfield, Steeple Bumpstead and Gestingthorpe.

But proposals to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds to improve flood protection in several affected villages will not take place for at least five years.

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