Essex Highways crews tackle Storm Isha following week-long response to cold temperatures
Highways crews worked throughout Sunday night dealing with flooding, wind damage and fallen trees as Storm Isha arrives.
Essex Highways’ crews have been working hard to keep the county's roads moving safely following a cold snap last week and the arrival of Storm Isha on Sunday night.
Essex Highways received 70 reports for weather-related incidents, including reports of flooding and fallen trees on Sunday.
Working with partners Essex Police and UK Power Networks, 20 serious issues were dealt with quickly by crews overnight to help get the roads across Essex moving again.
Crews returned to the roads of Essex on Monday to continue their inspections and deal with any further issues.
Storm Isha follows the cold, wet and windy weather experienced across the county throughout January so far, with highways crews working around the clock to keep roads and pavements clear and safe.
Last week, crews were out gritting the roads twice a day to keep them free of ice by spreading salt each afternoon and overnight ahead of rush hour traffic.
During the recent flooding, one Essex Highways inspector went above and beyond when they spotted an elderly man who had fallen in the flood water and made sure he was unharmed and got home safely.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: "This time of year is one of the busiest for the Essex Highways teams charged with keeping our roads safe from weather damage. I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication, because without them the roads of Essex would grind to a halt.
"To hear of members of staff going beyond their usual remit and supporting residents in distress only serves to remind us all of the professionalism of our highways team. I hope the gentleman that our inspector helped has now made a full recovery.
"As Essex Highways navigates these challenging weather events, the ongoing commitment to maintaining the safety of our roads by response crews is instrumental in keeping the county resilient against weather conditions."
Residents can report issues to Essex Highways online or by calling 0345 603 7631 if there is a risk to safety.