To one villager, Welney is “an area full of mysteries”. 

When I first approached the flooded A1101 Welney Wash Road on Thursday, March 16, perhaps one of the mysterious situations I encountered was a woman in search for a pet she feared went missing. 

En-route to Welney, it was difficult to avoid flashing pre-warning signs for the road closure, which had been highlighted by the Welney Flood Watch Facebook page.

‘Think Don’t Sink’ signs were also visible as you get closer to the flooded area, where cars and vans have been caught out in recent days. 

Ely Standard: A woman was searching for a missing pet which may have disappeared into the flooded Welney Wash Road.A woman was searching for a missing pet which may have disappeared into the flooded Welney Wash Road. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Ely Standard: A van was amongst some vehicles to be trapped in the latest bout of flooding on the A1101 Welney Wash Road.A van was amongst some vehicles to be trapped in the latest bout of flooding on the A1101 Welney Wash Road. (Image: Facebook/Welney Flood Watch)

But despite the road being closed due to flooding from March 13, some motorists were still brave enough to battle through the floodwater which at the time of writing, was roughly 14 inches deep. 

The villager I spoke to, a retired engineer originally from London, believes no measures will prevent future flooding. 

He said: “I don’t think it will ever change, but it is a spectacle.” 

Ely Standard: A lorry travels through the floodwater along the A1101 Welney Wash Road.A lorry travels through the floodwater along the A1101 Welney Wash Road. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Ely Standard: The A1101 Welney Wash Road where floodwater has poured across the carriageway.The A1101 Welney Wash Road where floodwater has poured across the carriageway. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Dennis Birch runs the Lamb & Flag pub situated along the A1101 in Welney with his wife Georgina and has been doing so for the last 23 years. 

He admits the disruption that flooding has caused to the business is not every year, but when it does, it has an impact. 

“We lose at least 30 to 35 per cent of trade over a week when the road’s flooded, but we’ve got used to it,” said Mr Birch. 

Ely Standard: Dennis Birch, of the Lamb & Flag pub, said he is used to losing 30 to 35 per cent of trade over a week when the A1101 Welney Wash Road is flooded.Dennis Birch, of the Lamb & Flag pub, said he is used to losing 30 to 35 per cent of trade over a week when the A1101 Welney Wash Road is flooded. (Image: Daniel Mason)

“People come for the food, but who wants to drive 40 minutes and back on a wet night in February [for example]? 

“It is a real nuisance.” 

The Environment Agency [EA], who were due to install a flood barrier on the A1101 through Welney last year, said a flood alert for the area is due to continue. 

We have approached the EA for comment.