Potter’s Bridge, on the B1127 near Southwold, at risk of flooding again after breach

A troublesome road may be at risk of flooding again after the nearby beach breached.

Potter’s Bridge, on the B1127 near Southwold, is often impassable for residents, meaning access to the nearest hospital, James Paget, becomes much more difficult, as well as forcing vehicles to take other more risky routes.

After the beach nearby breached, the outfall will need to be dug out again to prevent spillage onto the carriageway in the event of heavy rainfall.

The Environment Agency now has a warrant to access the Easton Broad estate in order to clear the outfall.

David Beavan, deputy leader of East Suffolk Council, said: “Well it happens when we get a big tide, the broad gets full and it breaches.

“The Environment Agency will have to come down again and re-dig it, which will be necessary every time this happens.

“We need a long term strategic plan of how we’re going to manage this as eventually the only road out is going to be the Wangford Road.”

A resident who lives on Wangford Road mentioned that, when Potter’s Bridge is impassable, the traffic becomes awful and they feel nervous about using the pavement because of it.

Previously the issue at Potter’s Bridge reached a head as the Environment Agency was locked in a dispute with the landowners at Easton Broad over access to the land, and Cllr Beavan mentioned that the warrant which the Agency was awarded to gain access only lasts for three months.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The outfall at Easton is breached; the Broad is currently tidal and draining to the sea.

“We expect the breach will heal naturally over coming days to weeks.

“Once the breach is healed, water levels will begin to rise again and we will intervene to create a new channel for the Broad to drain to the sea – this will help alleviate flood impacts on Easton Broad and Potters Bridge.”