THURROCK Council says it plans to take preventative action to help avoid or alleviate flooding that has started to occur on a busy rural link road in the borough.

Nub News reported earlier this week on dramatic scenes as vehicles attempted to negotiate the flooded Southend Road (B1420) on the approach to the Five Bells A13 roundabout.

At least eight vehicles were caught in the flood water and had to be recovered, while other drivers took a more cautious approach and made significant diversions.

The flooding on this stretch of road is a new scenario that has only started to happen recently and the finger of blame has been pointed by some local people at a major residential development by Bellway Homes called Maple Creek, still being constructed on the site of the nearby former Vange Waterworks.

They suggest a natural water catchment area has been removed, meaning rainwater now flows over fields to the nearest lowest point, which is the road.

A statement from Thurrock Council says: "Thurrock Council is aware of the issue and is working with landowners near this site to see what might be causing it and what measures can be taken to prevent the road flooding.

"Crews will also attend this road to clear gullies as a precautionary measure."