This evening's flooding has once again hit homes in Barleycroft and Sakins Croft, with many of the same homes flooded out for the second time in just a few weeks.

At least three different bodies - Thames Water, Essex County Council and Harlow District Council - maintain different parts of the drainage network. In some cases, there are suggestions that the problem is simply inadequate capacity in the Thames Water main drains; in other cases, tree roots, lack of maintenance and other possible causes are being suggested by residents.

Clearly the present situation, which is very traumatic for residents, can't go on, and the various organisations need to agree what can be done to alleviate the problem where possible.