THURROCK Council has once again absolved itself of responsibility for flooding that residents and business owners believe could have been prevented.

This week waters rose above the banks of the Mardyke River near North Stifford, in the wake of a flood warning issued by the Environment Agency on Monday (19 December) - which has remained in force until today (Wednesday, 21 December)

They washed over the flood plain and onto land occupied by Well Lane Stables, leaving paddocks and trotting areas covered. The owners of the stables say the land between their site and the river is owned and managed by Thurrock Council.

It is the same land where deep floods in 2021 caused significant problems with water eventually rising several feet deep and covering hundreds of acres of riverside land, including Thurrock Scouts' Cherrywood camp site which is downstream. Homes in South Ockendon and upstream at Bulphan were also affected, while rural roads were flooded.

In the late summer of this year residents raised concerns over a lack of river maintenance and dredging, but the concerns were played down by the Environment Agency. It said: "While Mardyke Valley may appear overgrown, it is not at immediate risk of flooding so we would not carry out maintenance here for the sake of its appearance."

In the wake of this week's flooding, following a warning from the Agency that three months earlier said there was no risk of flooding, it seems almost incredulous that nothing was done and that blind eyes were being turned to the risk. The statement by the Agency 'it is not at immediate risk of flooding' seems bizarre, given it has now flooded following its own warning!

Thurrock Council owns and manages Mardyke Meadows where the river floodplain is at its widest and where much of the 'infill' on the river banks has happened. Part of the river course that is adjacent to Davy Down Park slightly upstream is owned by the Land Trust and managed by it and Essex and Suffolk Water.

The Environment Agency made it clear it is the responsibility of the landowners to manage its riverside land. The Agency itslef owns a small parcel of land near Stifford Hill Bridge where the valley narrows.

The undredged and uncleared riverbank.

But today the council appears to still absolve itself of any responsibility.

A statement to Nub News says: "Thurrock Council works with the Environment Agency to ensure watercourses under its ownership are maintained to minimise the risk of flooding to homes and property. The Environment Agency have permissive powers to manage flood defences in the Mardyke area.

 "It is also the responsibility of businesses to look after their property, including protecting it from flooding. The Environment Agency's website has advice on being prepared for floods and how to protect property from flooding."

Nub News contacted people who have previously been affected by flooding in the Mardyke and further upstream. The consensus of opinion was enscapsulated by one response: "Does anyone in authority care or is everyone just saying all that matters is we don't get the blame?"