CALLS have been made for blocked drains to be cleared urgently after heavy rainfall left paths flooded.

Pedestrians have been unable to use walkways throughout Basildon for the past week after days of constant showers.

Middle Hall Path, which links Southernhay and West Thorpe, is under about a foot of water, while a passageway between Gun Hill Place and Wickham Place is out of order due to flooding.

A service road to garages in Nether Priors is also under about a foot of water.

It is thought the problems are down to drains which need unblocking, but highways bosses at Essex County Council have refused to set a date for the work.

A West Thorpe resident, who did not want to be named, has reported both the Nether Priors and Middle Hall Path flooding to Essex County Council.

She said: “The water in Middle Hall Path comes up over your ankles and there’s thick mud leading all the way to the footpath, so it’s a bit of a nightmare.

“I’ve seen people end up with wet, muddy shoes.

“Anyone who wants to get to their garage off Nether Priors needs boots or wellies to get anywhere near – it’s like a mud bath.”

Pat Rackley, Labour councillor for St Martin’s ward in Basildon, has slammed Essex County Council for not making the flooded paths a priority.

She said: “I don’t understand how the council can’t have any idea when it will be able to get someone out to look at the blocked drains.

“It’s not good enough and I think it’s disgraceful.

“I’m sure we’re going to have even more wet weather, so the flooding problem is just going to keep getting worse.

“I want to be able to reassure concerned residents it will be sorted, but it’s out of my control.”

An Essex Highways officer said: “While we are aware of this problem, we believe this path to be a private path, over which we have no responsibility.

“We remain willing to assist the owners to alleviate flooding in any way we can.”