A FLOODED subway in Basildon has left commuters fuming after heavy rain caused havoc.

The problem has been made even worse as the roadworks currently taking place on Broadmayne have led to a pedestrian crossing being blocked off with people unable to cross safely from The Gore to Basildon Town Centre.

However, the sign that says the crossing is closed tells pedestrians to use the subway, which they cannot do. Walkers have resorted to vaulting the railings and running across the busy A1321 to avoid walking a longer, alternative route.

Kate Baker, 27, from Butneys in Basildon was walking her daughters Amy and Holly, both 6, to the Town Centre but said she was unable to cross.

Miss Baker said: “It really is disgraceful. You look at the amount of people who use this underpass but they simply cannot cross. The roadworks say are infuriating but I thought the council would have dealt with the flooding by now as it will only get worse. There are children and elderly people who want to get across and they can’t. An alternative needs to be put in place as this isn’t good enough.”

Labour councillor Andrew Gordon, of Nethermayne ward, has contacted the Essex County Council several times regarding the flooded subway and he said he couldn’t believe action hadn’t been taken.

“It is beyond belief. How many more times are the council going to let people risk their lives by running over the road because they haven’t fixed the subway. Hundreds of people use the underpass yet it is flooded again and again. At this rate it is only a matter of time before someone loses their life. It needs to be fixed immediately and for good.”

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “A diversion directed pedestrians to use the nearby subway as an alternative route to cross the road. Essex County Council has put out an emergency call to Anglian Water to resolve the flooding issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, an alternative diversion is now being put in place directing pedestrians to cross the road using a different pedestrian crossing nearby.
 

“The works are due to finish at the end of this week. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate everybody’s patience while these essential works are completed.”