Survey reveals 20 million motorists would risk driving through floodwater

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

In times of severely inclement weather, the only way into parts of Wrington is through some level of floodwater - from whatever direction you approach the village. 

And, just for the record, the main route out of Wrington towards the A38 is a bus route - and those single deckers simply blast their way through the floodwater. 

[1st fan]

There used to be a 'jackass?' style video on Youtube of a bloke in the USA driving his van through some a few bits of serious floodwater on a road. He had attached some steel sheeting to the front in a snowplow shape and just put pedal to the metal. It created a giant wave on each side that soaked the camera person. Sadly I've checked but I can't find it anymore.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Oh, the irony. 

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Essex and Suffolk Water van driver gets stuck in water


The Essex and Suffolk Water van got stuck in about 4ft (1.2m) of water at Buttsbury Wash near Billericay on Monday afternoon.

A water firm driver ended up having to flee his vehicle after becoming stuck in floodwaters.

The Essex and Suffolk Water van got stuck in about 4ft (1.2m) of water at Buttsbury Ford near Billericay on Monday afternoon.

A spokesman for the water company said it was aware of the incident and said its driver was "OK" following the episode.

Stephen Owens, of Billericay, spotted the van while out cycling in the area.


The water company said it was aware of the incident and said its driver was 'OK' following the episode

He said the ford was part of his regular cycling route and he told how he had often seen vehicles trapped there over the years. "But I have never seen one like this," he said.

Mr Owens said when he arrived the driver was still trying to get out of the van before asking him to try and help him push it out of the waters. Despite their efforts, the van could not be moved by hand, he said.

It is not yet known whether the driver was on a call-out at the time of the incident.

A company spokesman said: "Thankfully the driver is unharmed and we are making arrangements for the vehicle to be safely recovered as quickly as possible."


Buttsbury Ford has claimed a number of victims over the years

To be fair, looking at those water levels, I wouldn't have attempted that one - even in a Mercedes Sprinter. 

[JayMac]

That van has (or rather had) some expensive scientific water testing equipment aboard, as well as a specially designed refrigeration unit for keeping samples at the correct temperature.

Unfortunately the water testing equipment wasn't calibrated for depth!