Constant flooding in Welney

The A1101 at Welney in Norfolk has been closed due to flooding since Boxing Day. This latest closure, means people travelling from the south, Littleport and Ely, have to follow a long diversion to get to the village.

The diversion takes them through Downham Market, a trip of around 30 miles.

Chairman of Welney Parish Council Ken Goodger said."There once was a plan to raise the road by six inches, which would make a considerable difference to the number of days per year that you can pass through. Another way is to dredge the Ouse River that these washes drain into."

Now six electronic signs are to be introduced soon to give drivers more information about the depth of the flood water.

It's hoped it will allow drivers to make more informed decisions about passing through shallow flood water, rather than a sign simply saying "Road Closed".

Businesses in a Fenland village blighted by constant flooding say the continued closure of their main road is hitting trade.

People in Welney on the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire border, say flooding from the Ouse Washes leaves the village cut off from nearby towns such as Littleport and Ely.

It comes as Norfolk County Council and Cambridgeshire County Council are due to put up new electronic signs on the main approaches to Welney.

The signs will give more detail about the depth of the flood water, which sometimes can be passed through with care.

At the moment the signs simply say "Road Closed", even if the road is only partially flooded.