The installation of electronic signs warning motorists about flooding of the Welney Wash has been delayed because of flooding.

Cambridgeshire County Council and Norfolk County Council hoped to put up the signs, which will indicate water depth, on the A1101 at Welney earlier this month.

But contractors have been unable to install sensors on the road as the water is too deep.

The water is about 0.5m high at the point where contractors need to install the electronic sensors.

The road has been closed since December 27, with drivers forced to endure long diversions.

Karl Rands, highways manager for West Norfolk Council, said: “Since there is half a metre of water on the carriageway, the contractor can’t get on there to install the sensors.

“It is the only piece we are waiting for to be installed.

“Once the sensors are up and running, the three Norfolk signs will go up.

“The delay is frustrating for us and the people who use the road, but we hope the signs will be up fairly soon and drivers will see a difference.”

Until now flood warning signs have comprised of metal ‘flap’ type signage stating the road is closed but giving no indication of water depth.

Three signs have been paid for by Norfolk County Council, with one in New Road, Welney, another at Suspension Bridge warning people coming from Ely, and another at Lots Bridge crossroads on the A1101 between Three Holes and Tipps End.

The total bill for the signs is about £50,000, to be shared between both councils.

Other signs have been provided by Cambridgeshire County Council, which will be installed by the Norfolk highways team.

Mr Rands dismissed the idea of a bridge being installed or the carriageway raised for the foreseeable future.

He said: “A long term solution, which would be to install a bridge or raise the level of carriageway, would be very costly.

“Our local authority does not have the funding available so a project of this nature would be out of the question for the foreseeable future.”