The chaos of Storm Babet is still being felt in villages near the city after diversions away from the flooded A47 caused rural roads to be destroyed by heavy traffic.

Muddy roads and churned up verges have been left behind in villages including Easton, Colton and Marlingford after far more traffic than normal descended on the area. 

Eastern Daily Press: Traffic has had to go through back roads due to Storm Babet closing off the A47 for multiple daysTraffic has had to go through back roads due to Storm Babet closing off the A47 for multiple days (Image: Dom Castle)
Dom Castle, who lives in Norwich Road, Colton, says the diversions caused considerable damage last Friday and Saturday, with the A47 flooding issues surfacing again at times this week.

He said: "With the A47 closed, thousands of cars and trucks have come through the village, which only has a narrow, single-track, road.

Eastern Daily Press: The aftermath of the diverted traffic has smashed the verges around Colton and surrounding villagesThe aftermath of the diverted traffic has smashed the verges around Colton and surrounding villages (Image: John Morse)
"The grass verges have been smashed to pieces after traffic came through following the storm last week.

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"Now the roads are breaking up, causing more potholes to appear and turning them into muddy cart tracks.

Eastern Daily Press: Dom Castle, who lives in Norwich Road, ColtonDom Castle, who lives in Norwich Road, Colton (Image: Dom Castle)
"People here are effectively trapped in their own homes by the nose to tail traffic and some are putting themselves at risk by going out and directing traffic themselves.

"We need to know that when the A47 is closed again our little roads and the roads of surrounding villages won’t just be turned into a massive rat-run.

Eastern Daily Press: Some folk have been out to help traffic move through the treacherous conditions Some folk have been out to help traffic move through the treacherous conditions (Image: John Morse)
"It must be hellish for the drivers too - there have been broken mirrors, bits of bumpers and wheel trims picked up from the side of the road.

"There were also several vehicles trapped in the mud which had to be recovered."

Eastern Daily Press: The roads have turned into muddy cart tracks due to the amount of vehicles which have had to drive throughThe roads have turned into muddy cart tracks due to the amount of vehicles which have had to drive through (Image: John Morse)
Mr Castle added that John Morse, chairman of Marlingford and Colton Parish Council, was trying to get the relevant authorities to act.

Norfolk County Council, responsible for Highways, were contacted for comment.

READ MORE: Greater Anglia apologises for delays which left 'hundreds stranded'

Mr Morse, who also lives in Colton, said: "It's been extremely frustrating.

Eastern Daily Press: John Morse, chairman of the Marlingford and Colton Parish Council John Morse, chairman of the Marlingford and Colton Parish Council (Image: John Morse)
"The roads and surrounding areas are a complete mess.

"I've had to warn people, who were due to visit me, to stay away as it's not worth the risk driving here.

Eastern Daily Press: Traffic has been building up along the single track roads after Storm Babet forced the A47 closedTraffic has been building up along the single track roads after Storm Babet forced the A47 closed (Image: John Morse)
"This village and those nearby, aren't designed for large vehicles.

"I want to know what the council will do in the future to stop this from happening again."

Eastern Daily Press: Dom Castle said thousands of cars and trucks have come through the villageDom Castle said thousands of cars and trucks have come through the village (Image: Dom Castle)