Village residents and drivers still facing high waters six days after River Trent burst its banks

Motorists are urged not to attempt to cross Dunham Bridge Photo: Lincolnshire Police

People living in a Nottinghamshire village close to a key road bridge are still facing high waters and long diversions days after the River Trent burst its banks.

Dunham Bridge, which carries the A57 across the Nottinghamshire-Lincolnshire border, has been closed since Friday due to floodwater from Storm Henk.

Residents of nearby Dunham-on-Trent and passing motorists have been cut off from the opposite bank, and face a 37 mile detour until the route re-opens.

Police have urged people not to attempt to cross the bridge, although one vehicle has been abandoned in the water.

Pictures show a vast expanse of water has flooded the Lincolnshire side, and shows no sign of receding.

Dunham Bridge has been closed since the River Trent broke its banks on Friday

A resident says the village on the Nottinghamshire side has “gone from being Dunham-on-Trent to Dunham-by-the-Sea”.

Kathryn Wilkinson, the vice chair of Dunham with Ragnall, Darlton & Fledborough Parish Council, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this high. The last time it was close was in 2000.

“The village has actually been lovely and quiet since the bridge has closed. The only traffic we are getting is people coming to have a look at the flood water – it’s like a tourist attraction.”

The closure of the bridge has caused disruption in the village, with drivers facing lengthy journeys to reach the opposite bank.

The flooding seen from Dunham on Sunday

“There’s a diversion in place through either Newark or Gainsborough – ironically through Flood Lane – but that is still underwater at high tide,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“We have four teachers from the primary school who live on the far side of the river, it’s adding a fair distance to their journey.

“There is a car stuck in the water – it must have happened in the night, because it’s blatantly obvious in the day that it isn’t passable.

“It will be at least a week before the bridge reopens.

The A57 toll bridge crossed the River Trent

“We had a red flooding warning on Saturday night, when the Environment Agency said it was likely to come over the flood bank on our side.

“People who have lived in Dunham all their lives are confident it won’t, though.

“The problem is if the river goes down but the flood water doesn’t go back in.”

Lincolnshire Police say that the occupants of the vehicle which attempted to cross the bridge are safe, and urged people not to ignore road closure signs.

Flood alerts remain in place for communities along the Trent Valley. Residents in these areas should be prepared to leave their properties if necessary.

Nottinghamshire County Council advises motorists to check its list of roads currently closed before they travel.