Road known as Britain's 'most flooded' to be focus of sensor trial
When shut, people must travel on a lengthy 22-mile diversion to reach either side of it
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
It is known as Britain’s ‘most flooded road’ – a stretch near Wisbech less than one mile long that spent 89 days under water last year.
But soon this notorious route will benefit from new technology which aims to help stop drivers from taking risks and getting stranded.
Welney Wash Road, a causeway sitting on the Ouse washes at the Norfolk and Cambridge border, is renowned for being frequently submerged by floodwater.
When shut, it means people must travel on a lengthy 22-mile diversion to reach either side of it.
This means drivers are frequently putting themselves at risk by attempting to cross it even though river levels are too high, resulting in cars and HGVs becoming stuck and having to be rescued.
The new scheme being rolled out by Norfolk's County Hall hopes to give people wishing to use the route a better idea of whether it is safe to do so through using “innovative” technology.
Engineers are due to install electronic signs in the area to help give up-to-date warnings.
These signs will be activated if river levels are too high, with Environment Agency sensors monitoring the height of water.
If successful, it is hoped the technology can be brought in at other problem-roads, if funding can be found.
The project comes as Norfolk’s agencies prepare for what could be one of the worst winters for flooding in memory, with a wet summer keeping water levels high.
"Vehicles are still getting stranded when they try to cross it"
Alex Cliff, highway network and digital innovation manager at Norfolk County Council, announced the project at a meeting of leading figures involved in the county’s flood preparations.
He said: “This causeway is an important flood defence system that protects more than 10,000 homes in Norfolk and Cambridge in places like Downham Market, Ely and Littleport.
“Currently, vehicles are still getting stranded when they try to cross it.
“These new signs will be more conspicuous and will be automatically activated when river levels get too high.”
Data gathered through the project will also help inform long-term predictions for if and when the road will flood. It is also hoped the live information can be accessible via a car’s GPS system.
Norfolk’s fire and rescue service is also to benefit from the scheme if the new signs help dissuade drivers from attempting to cross the causeway.
"The number one cause of fatalities caused by flooding"
It will help reduce the costs of having to rescue people stranded in the floodwater.
Scott Norman, deputy chief fire officer, said: “Driving through floodwater is the number one cause of fatalities caused by flooding.”
The new project follows the announcement of a major cross-county safety review following the death of Barry Howard, 75, who drowned when his car was swept down the river Tas while he was attempting to cross Shotesham ford in the dark.
Mr Cliff said if the trial proves successful, it could be rolled out on the problem roads.
“This is something we will consider for other locations following a review to make sure it is effective.”
The new £100,000 signs are to be installed in the coming weeks – if the weather allows.
Britain's most flooded road
The A1101 Welney Wash Road connects the villages of Gold Hill and Welney and is a useful link for drivers in the area.
It stretches for nearly a mile across the Hundred Foot Washes – the largest area of frequently flooded grazing marsh in Britain.
While it is meant to flood, it can cause drivers to take risks and travel across it.
In recent years, this has resulted in several cars and even lorries getting stranded and needing to be rescued.