HALSTEAD’S multi-million-pound flood defence has “proved its worth” once again as it “saved the town” following a severe storm.

The town suffered severe flooding after a month of rainfall in just a day back in October 2001.

The sheer amount of rainfall meant the River Colne burst its banks and caused water levels to rise to around one and a half feet deep in the town centre.

It caused the flooding of 240 properties, including homes and businesses, in the town.

Halstead Gazette: FLOOD WATER: Halstead suffered Halstead devastating floods in 2001FLOOD WATER: Halstead suffered Halstead devastating floods in 2001 (Image: N/A)

A flood barrier was later built by the Environment Agency in 2006.

The dam can hold back about 146.5million gallons of water, the equivalent of 222 Olympic-sized swimming pools, on the flood plain.

The dam also protects notorious flood-risk areas miles downstream as far as Colchester.

Now, it has shown it is “worth its weight in gold” once more, following Storm Ciarán last week.

The defence was able to hold back millions of litres of water which overflowed from the River Colne, following record levels of rainfall through the storm.

Halstead Gazette: FULL UP: Water collected in the damFULL UP: Water collected in the dam (Image: David Sugden)

Now there are calls for a memorial to the man largely responsible for the town's flood defences.

Town mayor Jackie Pell said credit for the dam goes to late Halstead county councillor Joe Pike, who campaigned and secured the money for it.

Mr Pike died  in 2016, aged 87.  

He was one of the longest serving councillors on Essex County Council, devoting 39 years to public service. 

He was first elected to Essex County Council in 1977 for the division of Benfleet, where he served until 1985. 

Halstead Gazette: EVERLASTING LEGACY: Former Halstead councillor Joe PikeEVERLASTING LEGACY: Former Halstead councillor Joe Pike (Image: N/A)

In 1989 he was elected for his new home area of Halstead, where he served until his death. 

One of his most important achievements was securing the flood alleviation plan for Halstead. 

Mrs Pell said: “It is all down to him and his work. He has saved the town and its residents.

“We have never put a plaque up to commemorate what he did, but the town owes him, and this forever be his legacy, making sure he is never forgotten.

“The whole thing is has proved its worth once again and really is worth its weight in gold.”