A parish councillor says she is “astounded by the incompetence” of Essex Highways to deal with flooding on a busy road between High Roding and Dunmow.

Gillian Sissens, from High Roding Parish Council, says she has been contacting the county council department for four years about the issue of flooding on the B184.

Mrs Sissens says after rain, the ditch at the side of the road floods and pours water onto the road, causing vehicles to swerve to avoid the area.

Mrs Sissens has raised the issue with district and county councillors as well as Saffron Walden MP Sir Alan Haselhurst and says it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

Essex Highways says the flooding is being caused by a poorly maintained section of ditch which belongs to the land owner and it is working with the person to remedy the problem.

Mrs Sissens said: “This is very dangerous as there is a significant amount of water. Cars swerve to avoid it, aquaplane or plough through it at speed spraying water onto oncoming vehicles on the other side of the road.

“In freezing weather it can turn to ice, and it is only a matter of time before someone loses control of their vehicle and there is a fatality.

“The level of incompetence and non-interest from the council is astounding. Councillor Barker has raised this numerous times and it is time something was done.”

Susan Barker, Essex county councillor for the Dunmow division which includes the parishes, said: “We are desperately frustrated that after multiple site visits and letters from residents nothing is being done.

“I contact someone on an almost weekly basis and have physically taken letters from people in High Roding, Aythorpe Roding, Leaden Roding and Great Canfield to County Hall.

“It is dangerous. This is an unlit straight road where people do overtake and if someone hits a large puddle, it is potentially very dangerous.

“This has been ongoing for three or four years now, and I am equally frustrated as residents.”

Essex Highways says it is the responsibility of the land owner to maintain the ditch.

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “Our engineers have investigated this issue and discovered that it is being caused by a poorly maintained section of ditch.

“We have been working with the land owner, who is responsible for the ensuring the ditch is clear, and agreed a plan to clear it and make sure it remains clear.

“We met at the site last Friday to ensure that all the work has taken place to resolve this issue.”