THE big mop up was underway yesterday after Wednesday’s summer monsoon... but a vital underpass by the A127 remained closed until yesterday lunchtime.

Traffic problems were still rife in parts of Basildon, Billericay and Wickford.

Two roads hit particularly hard were Boytons and Cockerell Close, Basildon.

Andrew Gordon, Labour councillor for Basildon, took time out to visit the residents in Boytons...and found parts of the street in about a two-foot of water.

He said: “It was deep. There was a drain blocked.

“Residents have been regularly complaining, it was reported in 2012 and has not been fixed.

“We got a county councillor to come out to bring out sandbags at a 11pm.”

The water was so high it came within an inch of seeping into homes.

Mr Gordon was critical of the way that the floods had been prepared for.

He said: “Could we have done more to prepare for this? Absolutely.

“The fire service and council workers were working very hard to help matters though.”

Wickford Swim and Fitness Centre in Market Avenue was also affected by the amount of rain that hit south Essex in a hurry.

On Wednesday the swimming pool was closed.

A member of the public said that was due to a leak in the men’s changing rooms as well as falling tiles.

Swimming classes for children were cancelled throughout the day, but lessons resumed as normal yesterday.

The underpass below the A127, near the Basildon turn-off caused the most problems.

It flooded and had to be closed off.

The road was initially closed at about 7pm on Wednesday and was closed for around 18-hours while the Highways Agency worked to pump the water out.

It was reopened at around 1.30pm yesterday afternoon.

Mr Gordon advised residents that if they had any issues they should contact councillors.

Canvey had virtually dried out yesterday, and there was minimal problems in Southend and surrounding areas.

The forecast for the weekend is cloudy, with little if any rain in south Essex.

Although rain is expected again next week.