STANFORD-LE-HOPE West councillor Shane Hebb has called for flooding issues in Wharf Road to be resolved immediately.

Railway improvement works in the area have left access to the pumping station in the road restricted, and those living at the far end of the road find themselves isolated when bad weather sets in and the pump fails.

Tory Mr Hebb said: “Unfortunately, all the while everyone debates the ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of who is responsible for the costs of resolving the matter, residents suffer.”

He added: “Leaving a small community isolated is unforgivable – the residents and businesses down the end of Wharf Road need everyone to get around a table quickly to plan and implement a solution.”