Two cars abandoned in flooded Notts road

A danger road prone to extreme flooding has caught out two drivers, forcing to leave their cars in the water.
Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.
Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.

Rufford Lane, adjacent to the entrance of Rufford Country Abbey Park flooded yesterday and Highways officers laid signs warning of the raised waters due to high levels at lake on the estate.

But two motorists reportedly chose to ignore the signs and have been forced to abandon their vehicles.

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One car, a white Toyota, reportedly got stuck in the waters at 2.30pm yesterday and since then the force of the water has caused it to drift under a nearby footbridge.

Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.
Two cars have been caught out in a ford at a notorious flooding spot in Rufford Lane.

Employees at the neighbouring tourist attractions said flooding is regular on the road, which is crossed by a ford serving as a run-off from Lake Rufford.

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They said: "It was extraordinary yesterday, The water was up beyond the gates yesterday.

"That white car has been there since 2:30.

Both cars drove into the water as levels rose yesterday and had to be abandoned.Both cars drove into the water as levels rose yesterday and had to be abandoned.
Both cars drove into the water as levels rose yesterday and had to be abandoned.

"It was pushed there by the shear volume of the water.

"There's a road-closed sign and somebody's come down it and driven into the ford."

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Rufford Lane is regarded as one of the most dangerous roads in the country, as Britain's top 'flood accident hotspot'.

There have been numerous accidents due to cars speeding, and sliding over the ford when it freezes.

There were over 90 flood-related rescue efforts on the stretch in the past five years.There were over 90 flood-related rescue efforts on the stretch in the past five years.
There were over 90 flood-related rescue efforts on the stretch in the past five years.

One study found 174 cars broke the speed limit in the space of a few hours, and there are on average 15 accidents on the stretch each year.

There have been 96 flood-related rescues in the past five years.

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Highway chiefs say they will continue to make improvements along a stretch of road following the latest in a long list of accidents.

Two men had top be rescued from a van which had skidded on ice and crashed at the water splash on Rufford Lane.

One car has been shifted downstream by the force of the water.One car has been shifted downstream by the force of the water.
One car has been shifted downstream by the force of the water.

The accident prompted renewed calls for safety measures, particularly for Rufford Lane to be included on Nottinghamshire County Council’s gritting route.

Jo Horton, Newark and Sherwood district highway manager, at the council, said: “Difficulties reported at this location are not restricted to the winter months which is why we have done all that we can to alert drivers to the presence of the ford and to encourage them to slow down at this particular location.

“Nottinghamshire County Council, as highways authority, has continued to make significant signage and other improvements along the length of Rufford Lane.”