Southwold landowner to complete works to prevent floods on B1127

The road is impassable during floods, causing cars to find alternative routes to and from Southwold

A landowner has been given permission to complete work to alleviate flooding.

Potter's Bridge on the B1127, near Southwold in Suffolk, has flooded numerous times in recent months.

The Environment Agency said the landowner had applied for and obtained the consents needed to complete works to prevent flooding.

The landowner has confirmed the agency's statement, but said they did not wish to comment further at this time.

The marshland around the road and bridge is privately owned by Easton Bavents Ltd, who previously granted the agency access to drain the land.

'Prone to flooding'

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "The local landowner has applied for and obtained the environmental consents required to undertake the works themselves at the shoreline to reduce water levels on Easton Broad and Potter's Bridge, if they choose to do so.

"We also stand ready to undertake the work and we will be contacting the landowner to confirm they are carrying out the required work or if they require assistance from ourselves on this occasion."

An online petition, which has more than 2,500 signatures, has called for the Environment Agency and Suffolk County Council to develop a maintenance plan for the area.

Local resident and signatory John Huggins said: "The road has been prone to flooding for many years and during that time we have been campaigning to find a solution, but the lack of progress has been very frustrating.

"We are aware that the landowner has started work to maintain the river flow, but we are now totally reliant on their actions and it is vital that they continue to do all they can to alleviate the ongoing flooding problem at Potter's Bridge."

In a joint statement, the organisations agreed to clear and jet the highway drains, and cut channels into the verge to help water drain away.