An inventory of emergency vehicles – including five fire appliances and three police units – were deployed on Friday night to rescue a stranded driver.

The emergency operation was launched after a car ignored warning signs to try and cross Sutton Gault Causeway near Ely.

The driver didn’t succeed and a major emergency rescue operation was launched. East Cambridgeshire Police reported that five fire appliances, three police units and an ambulance were called out.

And for what, said the police on their Facebook page.

All those emergency vehicles and personnel were required for “what could have been a simple detour”.

Ely Standard: The black dots indicate flooding in East Cambridgeshire and the Fens. The Government produced map indicates flooding at Sutton GaultThe black dots indicate flooding in East Cambridgeshire and the Fens. The Government produced map indicates flooding at Sutton Gault (Image: Government website)

A police spokesperson posted to Policing East Cambridgeshire Facebook: “Please do not consider driving through flood water especially avoiding a road closed sign.” The Government’s ‘flood information website’ remains uncertain, however, if Sutton Gault remains passable.

“River levels remain high at the Sutton Gault river gauge,” says its website.

“Flooding of low-lying roads and farmland is expected. We expect flooding to affect the Sutton Gault Causeway. No further heavy rainfall is forecast.

“The causeway at Sutton Gault has approximately 71 centimetres of water on the road.

Ely Standard: Sutton Gault tonight Friday January 29th - a major incident was recorded as a host of emergency services responded to a stranded driver caught in the floods.Sutton Gault tonight Friday January 29th - a major incident was recorded as a host of emergency services responded to a stranded driver caught in the floods. (Image: East Cambs Police)

“Due to the uneven surface of the road, water may be deeper in places. The Environment Agency are liaising with Cambridgeshire Highways, who will decide whether to close the road.

“Please plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads, which may be flooded and avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. This alert applies to Sutton Gault Causeway.”

Ely Standard: Here's the view as you approach the causeway at Sutton Gault from the Chatteris side (even more 'Road Closed' signs when approaching from the Sutton direction).Here's the view as you approach the causeway at Sutton Gault from the Chatteris side (even more 'Road Closed' signs when approaching from the Sutton direction). (Image: Mark Inskip)