RESIDENTS claim mums and newborn babies are being left soaked by cars driving through a huge puddle close to a maternity unit in Clacton.

Margaret Bonner, of Tower Road, Clacton, hit out at Essex County Council’s highways contractors for failing to put a camber back into the road following resurfacing work.

She said a large puddle forms on the corner of Tower Road and Marine Parade West every time it rains.

Cars turning into the road unwittingly splash pedestrians.

She said: “When it rains the water forms a huge puddle on the corner of the road – it’s like a river.

“Doctors and nurses walking to the hospital, as well as mums and their babies going to the maternity unit, have been splashed as cars drive past."

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by the resident and will send an inspector to visit this site as a matter of urgency to investigate the issue.”