Is the end in sight for roundabout flash flooding saga?

A long running flooding saga could be coming to an end after nearly a decade, but not for at least another 18 months.

There has been a severe problem with surface water flooding in Gorleston since 2009, with drains overflowing and raw sewage flowing into people's homes and back gardens.

The area around the White Horse roundabout has been particularly badly hit, where even short bursts of rain cause floods.

A pensioner, who lives nearby in Beccles Road, said after just 25 minutes of rain last Friday, his home was hit.

He added: 'I'm sandbagging every time it rains. I shouldn't have to. It's not just dirty water, it's sewage as well.

'I can't sell my house because I have to notify them it's in a flood area.'

A woman who also lives in the same street said her family home flooded twice with sewage in July and they had to pay for a deep clean both times.

She added: 'We both work so we can't put sandbags down in time if there's torrential rain.'

Now, Anglian Water is exploring options to alleviate problems in the area, but nothing will be done for another 18 months at least.

Area manager at Anglian Water Hugh Crerand spoke to the Gorleston Area Committee meeting on Tuesday evening.

He briefed around 30 residents, who then shared their problems with him and expressed their disappointment that after years of pleading for action, they would have to wait months for a solution.

One said it was 'absolutely disgusting.'

Mr Crerand responded: 'I accept we haven't solved your problems overnight, but there are people working on this. There's a lot of pressure on to resolve this.'

Chairman of the area committee Trevor Wainwright said the flooding had got worse in the past ten years.

A number of issues were causing the worsening of the flooding, including climate change, the poor state of the dykes system of drainage, and an increase of driveways and hard surfaces which do not allow water to soak away.

Bradwell borough councillor Graham Plant also agreed the dyke system was an issue.

He said: 'The dyke system has been abused by builders and farmers.

'They used to be linked up but not they're in a field and don't go anywhere. The system is broken.'