BeenThere-DoneThat - Driving in Britain for overseas visitors (Road features 3.).

BeenThere-DoneThat		The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain

Driving in Britain for overseas visitors - Road features 3.

		This looks like a typical 'B' class road with a single carriageway having one lane each way. The width is good with a reasonable amount of room in each lane for large vehicles such as buses. It would be typical and very ordinary if it wasn't for one small point. View full size

		At some times during the year it looks like this! This road is the only road that serves Mersea Island on the Essex coast. All traffic going onto and off the island must use this road. However at high spring tides this road can be covered by the sea water and the island is cut off for an hour or more. This picture was taken before the maximum high water level was reached and the vehicle has now passed the deepest point. Vehicles with a high ground clearance can still get through but it's safer to wait if you're unsure. The maximum depth of water can reach 3 feet. View full size

		Whilst the tide is at it's highest the traffic on the island has to wait patiently until the water level drops enough for them to get off. The white line at the centre of the road can be seen under the water in the bottom right-hand corner. The bay on the left is actually a lay-by. Not a good place to park when a high spring tide is expected. View full size

		Looking along the main causeway from the island at high tide. Note that there is a small raised section not covered by water where a few cars are waiting. Everywhere else is now flooded. I am not aware of any other road in Great Britain which experiences conditions like these. View full size

		This shows the same view as above but at low tide. The water is now back in it's more usual channel, which lies just beyond the black and white road signs, and runs left and right of the fences on each side of the road. View full size


Driving		Great Britain

All photographs are the copyright © of Barry Samuels unless stated otherwise