CAMPAIGNERS hope to see major work carried out to stop a flooding crisis which swamps their village whenever there is a heavy downpour.

Residents and parish councillors in Thorpe have been struggling with severe flooding problems for years – and say it is getting worse.

Water builds up at the edge of the road and even seeps into front gardens.

It has become a major problem in High Street, with the worst-hit area outside Coolmore Lodge.

Thorpe Parish Council has been talking to County Hall in a bid to get the problem fixed.

Essex Highways are aware of the issues and produced a document featuring the area last year.

They say drains were cleared last March to try to sort out the problem, but there is no short-term solution.

They said the site should be considered for a long-term fix – a surface water alleviation scheme – which would cost more than £500,000.

The parish council says it has had confirmation from County Hall that the work should go ahead, and hope it will be sooner rather than later.

Chairman Dan Land said: “Stretches of Thorpe are virtually underwater for much of the winter and at times when we have flash flooding in the summer months.

“This investment is welcomed and well overdue. People want to see proof that their council tax is being used to improve the area in which they live and all too frequently nowadays this is not the case where flooding and highways are concerned.

“Let’s see the works planned and delivered for our village.”