It is a popular beauty spot, a useful shortcut but also - it seems - a place of hidden, and extreme, danger.
Locals living near Shotesham ford, which links the village and surrounding ones to the nearby A140, have called for new safety measures at the site after a motorist drowned there.
Barry Howard, 75, was heading home from a football match on the evening of December 13 when he tried to drive across.
The ford crosses the river Tas, which was particularly swollen and fast flowing at the time as a result of recent heavy rain, and Mr Howard's car was swept away.
His body was recovered the following morning after his Toyota Yaris was discovered.
The day after the tragedy, Norfolk County Council issued an emergency notice closing the crossing, on Mill Lane, until early January, saying it was "unsafe".
But locals have said that even after the water levels have eased, action may be needed - with some even calling for it to be permanently closed to traffic.
Heather Jackson, chairwoman of Shotesham Parish Council, said her authority had been putting pressure on the council for two years to improve safety at the crossing.
"First and foremost this is a devastating incident which we are very sad about.
"There are not many fords in the county of this size and this ford has a bend in it too which makes it very dangerous.
"We have demanded more signs be put up on the road to make drivers aware of the risk and informed the Highways teams continuously.
"It is also frustrating that people's sat navs take them through the ford.
"I wish the route could be removed from sat navs. In my opinion, the road is only safe in the summer when the water is low."
The ford is a popular spot for wild swimmers and Lesley Oldfield swims there all year round.
READ MORE: Barry Howard died after his car overturned at Shotesham Ford
She has seen several vehicles get into difficulty on the causeway - which curves gradually and has a steep drop on one side.
"I have seen many accidents here," she said.
"In one incident a motorcyclist came off, smashed his handlebars and was completely drenched.
"But this fatality should force the authorities to wake up to the danger and take action because especially at this time of year the ford is perilous.
"If they don't close the road at the very least they should restrict traffic along or here make it a 'quiet lane' so the route comes off sat navs.
“This is a beauty spot and I think it is ruined by cars zooming through the ford, which is dangerous and harms the environment.
“I'm devastated for the man who died and my thoughts are with his family at this awful moment."
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Mr Sutton, who brings his grandson to the ford to swim and to go fishing in the summer, said: "Of course, the incident was an absolute tragedy.
"I have been coming down here all my life. I have crashed here myself many times.
“Most the accidents I know of down here are from stupidity and careless driving, that is mine included.
“I think if you go through nice and steady you’ll be fine. But if the council were going to do something I think they should put rails either side of the road so people avoid slipping off."
An inquest into Mr Howard's death was opened by area coroner Samantha Goward at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on December 28.
She revealed that Mr Howard, who lived in Costessey, was a retired company director and was married to Patricia Howard.
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