People living in a Suffolk village along the A12 were forced to barricade the road with their cars to prevent further flooding. 

Homeowners in Yoxford have been hit by flooding twice in the opening week of 2024 after heavy downpours. 

It is the latest flooding to hit the village, after road closures were put in place along the stretch of road in December. 

East Anglian Daily Times: Residents remained outside into the early hoursResidents remained outside into the early hours (Image: Cllr Julia Ewart)

Dawn McMaster joined her neighbours, as well as councillor Julia Ewart, in taking matters into their own hands and closing the road themselves.

"It has been twice this week now. Unbelievable," said Mrs McMaster. 

"Several residents called the police, and they then tried to claim that 'oh no we can't close the road, the Highways have to.'

"Basically, it was like either party did not seem to know who could do what. It was quite scary how both parties didn't seem to know who could do what.

"It was just unbelievable."

Wearing hi-vis shirts, the group joined forces to close the road themselves until 12.30am on Friday morning. 

They closed the road themselves, linking arms and put cars at either end of the village. 

Traffic did divert, which prevented people's homes from being hit by further flooding. 

Mrs McMaster added: "This is the main A12. When you think of the transport and how much traffic passes through, it is a busy, busy road. And nothing is being done about it."

Mrs Ewart, who represents Kelsale and Yoxford at East Suffolk Council, added: "People are accommodating, but given it is happening so frequently, there now has to be some accountability has to how to change things."

A spokesman for Suffolk Highways said: "We put a closure in on the A12 at Yoxford soon after midnight due to flooding in the area. The water then drained away, and we were able to reopen the road at around 10am on Friday.

“Highways teams have been out day and night over recent days responding to emergency flood reports across the county, we prioritise areas where flooding poses a risk to life.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "Police were called by members of the pubic regarding flooding in the area. Call operators ensured the appropriate agency was aware and members of the public were signposted to this agency.

“Across the evening and into this morning the constabulary received a large number of calls about weather-related incidents, either attending or ensuring the relevant agency was aware.”

“Police would encourage members of the public to call emergency services where required. The constabulary, alongside partners, will continue to review how it responds to these calls.”