HOME insurance premiums in some parts of Wickford have more than doubled because of ongoing flooding problems.

Councillors have been inundated with complaints from residents about the price hike after a year of heavy rainfall left roads under water and homes destroyed.

Southend Road is regularly flooded under the railway bridge, and in July a family had to be rescued after their car got stuck.

The underpass beneath Southend Road is often out of bounds unless pedestrians wade through deep water and residents in Crouchview Close, Shotgate, were made homeless following a burst pipe during the July downpour.

John Webb, 61, praised his insurance company – Lloyds Bank – for only increasing his annual premium by £34, but admitted he has heard horror stories from his neighbours.

He said: “Me and my family have been blessed, but I’ve been shocked by the way some of the other insurance companies have treated my neighbours. I’ve heard of really damming attitudes to what we are going through. I would urge anyone who is concerned by their quote to swap providers and complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.”

Ukip councillor Peter Holliman, who represents Wickford North, has been told his premium will double because of the increased flood risk – despite living 700ft above sea level in Highcliff Close.

He said: “Residents are going to have to chose between paying hundreds of pounds extra or risking not having any house insurance.

“My concern with this is that the flooding comes down to us having too many houses and the water pipes not being able to cope. It doesn’t seem fair residents are having to pay the price for this.

“I’m having to pay a 100 per cent increase myself, even though my road hasn’t experienced any flooding.”