Last week’s heavy rain saw several roads flooded in Suffolk, writes David Kindred.
Until bad drainage in Ipswich town centre was solved, with a massive scheme in the 1980s, it was not unusual for several low lying areas in and around the town centre to flood during sudden downpours.
Shops in Upper Brook Street, homes and shops in St Helen’s Street, Grimwade Street, Fore Street and those around Princes Street and Duke Street were also very vulnerable. In August 1977 my colleague at the EADT and Star Jerry Turner and I set off to photograph floods caused by a thunderstorm and cloudburst. We both returned to the newspaper office in Lower Brook Street soaked to the skin and looking like we had fallen in the dock, to find that the ground floor, including the photographic department, was also flooded.
The next photo shows Duke Street in August 1977, as drivers struggle with the floodwater. Since I took this photograph, 38 years ago, every single structure has gone.
In the background is one of the town’s gas holders, at the site of the gas works. Most of the large brick buildings on the right of the street had belonged to Ransomes Sims and Jefferies.
This photo shows Fore Street at the junction with Grimwade Street, during a flood caused by a downpour in August 1977. There have been many changes to this street scene since this photograph was taken.
The Sorrel Horse public house on the right had closed in 1975. Barnard Brothers shop, at the corner of Grimwade Street, was also closed and to let.
The Salvation Army mens’ hostel building in the centre of the picture has also been replaced by the army’s present Lyndon House hostel. The Orwell Esso petrol station is now the site of flats.
Help was at hand for this motorist at the junction of Fore Street and Grimwade Street in August 1977.
This image shows deep water in Coprolite Street in August 1977. It was taken from the junction with Duke Street.
The university building is now on the right of the view. The buildings on the left are now the site of flats.
And here we see Fore Street, looking towards the junction with Duke Street, during the same period.
You can see the traffic making its way through the flood water.
Heavy rain flooded Bridge Street, seen here from the junction of St Peter’s Dock and Commercial Road, as traffic moved through heavy rain.
The buildings in Bridge Street have all gone and the road widened with two roundabouts. Included in the Bridge Street buildings were Reid’s Transport Café and the Crown public house.
Do you have memories of water flooding your business or home during torrential rainfall? Write to David Kindred, email us with your memories and photosSee more from David Kindred here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here