Officials have closed a string of fords to traffic and say more may have to shut as part of a major cross-county safety review sparked by the death of a motorist who drove into fast-flowing water.
Norfolk County Council has carried out inspections at dozens of crossings since Barry Howard, 75, drowned when his car was swept down the river Tas while he was attempting to cross Shotesham ford in the dark.
An inquest into the tragedy highlighted safety concerns about the crossing and it has remained closed ever since.
It also triggered a widespread review of all 47 Norfolk fords for which the council is responsible.
As a result, two other crossings - on country lanes at Castle Acre and West Acre which both take traffic through the river Nar - have been closed indefinitely, with the council not ruling out further closures "as a last resort".
The authority is also putting in improved signage at 23 other locations to make drivers aware of potential dangers.
All three closures - Castle Acre, West Acre and Shotesham - are 'indefinite', with the council not giving any indication of if or when they may ever reopen again.
The crossings on the Nar follow "extremely challenging" weather conditions, which mean officials say peak flows on the river have not fallen enough to allow traffic through safely.
At Shotesham, a further review is already under way which would see the 'indefinite' closure become a permanent one.
The closures, on quiet country lanes, may prompt frustration in surrounding areas and accusations of an overreaction.
In Shotesham, where the ford provides a shortcut to the A140, the crossing remained closed all through the summer when water levels across the causeway were very low.
Over the summer, concrete barriers were placed across the route after temporary closure signs were removed by motorists who continued driving through.
Officials say they are inspecting the ford on a weekly basis and that warning signs have subsequently been stolen and need to be replaced.
A spokesman said: "The council deems it is not safe to reopen Shotesham ford at the current time and the option of permanent closure to ensure public safety is being evaluated as part of the feasibility assessment of longer-term options at Shotesham.
"Until the completion of this feasibility work, which is expected later this year, the ford will remain closed."
Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said: "Safety is paramount when it comes to our highways network, and although we recognise the inconvenience longer trips can create when we close locations such as Shotesham ford, that cannot outweigh the importance of people's safety and wellbeing.
"I’m pleased to confirm we have now carried out full site assessments at all 47 ford locations across the county and have made the required changes to ensure people are safe in each area.
"Where closures are in place we are working hard to find longer term solutions."
SHOTESHAM TRAGEDY
Mr Howard, from Costessey, died in December last year, after driving in darkness into a ford on the River Tas.
He had been looking for a shortcut to avoid heavy traffic on his way home from a Norwich City game, but the river was swollen after heavy rain, with the causeway under 3ft of water.
His Toyota Yaris was swept about 100ft downstream, where his body was found the morning after.
The ford was actually shut at the time, due to heavy rain, but an inquest into his death heard signs indicating the road was closed were not visible, as they had been dragged to the side of the road by other motorists and placed face down.
After the inquest, area coroner Samantha Goward issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report, ordering Norfolk County Council to explain what action it was taking to prevent a similar tragedy.
Ms Goward said she was concerned concrete barriers put up at Shotesham had only been installed seven months after Mr Howard's death and questioned the effectiveness of signs at the ford.
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