By CATHERINE ATKINSON FLOODING in Earith, Sutton Gault and Welney caused problems for motorists in during the last few days. Welney residents are still facing long detours after the main A1101 road became impassable. Welney Parish Council chairman, Cllr

By CATHERINE ATKINSON

FLOODING in Earith, Sutton Gault and Welney caused problems for motorists in during the last few days.

Welney residents are still facing long detours after the main A1101 road became impassable. Welney Parish Council chairman, Cllr Ken Goodger, said: "It is quite disappointing. Another year has passed and we are back to square one and nothing has been done.

"The flooding started again on Monday and it is impassable. I think there were around six vehicles which got stuck on Tuesday, and there is about two feet of water on the road.

"Nothing has been done. So far it has not been as bad as last year, but the rainfall could mean it has now started again."

Cllr Goodger, who has lived in the village all his life, said the flooding problems had become increasingly worse over the last decade. Welney residents believe the only way to solve the problem is to raise the A1101. Nigel Woonton, project manager for flood risk management at the Environment Agency, said the organisation was looking at ways to resolve the problem, but warned there was no quick-fix solution.

Consultants are currently carrying out a study of the tidal river. A report, including its impact on Welney, is expected to be published in a few weeks' time.

Back roads into Sutton Gault were also closed, causing a rush of phone calls to those who had booked rooms at the Anchor Inn. Co-owner Adam Pickup said: "People perceive that they can't get to us but the road is only closed on the other side of the bridge towards Chatteris. The road from Earith is closed as well. It does actually lose us business, but luckily we have never flooded in 400 years, and we hope it stays that way. We have even had people drive past to look at the floods, then book a stay in one of the suites overlooking the water."

The fire service is offering advice to residents as to how to protect their property at risk of flooding.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: "What many people don't realise is that there has to be a certain level of water - generally around six inches - before we can use our pumping equipment effectively, and even then there has to be somewhere for us to pump the water to that won't have an adverse knock on effect to someone else's property."

He said sandbags were not distributed by the fire service but by local councils. All flood related calls are dealt with on an individual basis depending on the caller's circumstances and vulnerability.

INFO For the latest flood warnings, updated every 15 minutes, visit http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/