Concerned motorists have called for action to prevent a serious crash on a flood-prone section of road.

Recent rainfall has left substantial standing water on both sides of Runwell Road, Wickford, between the Quart Pot pub and Toby Carvery restaurant.

Motorists frequently meet head-on as they swerve to avoid flood water. Residents described the situation as an accident waiting to happen.

The problem is said to be caused, in part, by water running on to Runwell Road from a nearby field.

The field is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, which wants to build 575 homes on the Runwell Hospital site, just a mile away from the Quart Pot and Toby Carvery.

Peter Holliman, Ukip borough councillor for Wickford North, said: “If it’s bad now, what is it going to be like when there are more than 500 homes there?

“The drains are not being cleaned out due to funding cuts.

“Inaway, I can understand the problems because we are dealing with a drain system which is 60 years out of date. The system is also being forced to accommodate more houses, so it is a perfect storm when combined with badly maintained drains.”

Halstead Gazette: Flooding in Runwell Road last yearFlooding in Runwell Road last year

Flooding in Runwell Road last year

Scott Wilson, of Sonters Down, Rettendon, has written to Tory county councillor Ian Grundy asking for the problem to be addressed.

He said: “It is even worse when it is icy. You skid, which is a nightmare. I was driving along the middle of the road the other day because there were puddles both sides and another car was coming at me head-on. It is an accident waiting to happen.”

Mr Grundy has passed the matter to highways bosses. He said: “It is an ongoing problem, but we will try to see if we can put a bit more pressure on.

“It is difficult because it could be water coming off the land, which is down to the landowner, so it could be quite complicated.

“I will need advice from the highways authority.”