Paul Jolly: Battling the floods - why common sense must come first

We should not be surprised by the recent high levels of rainfall and subsequent flooding in our region. After all, it is winter, and this is when the Atlantic storms roll in, often one after another, dumping continuous rainfall on already saturated ground.

Our part of the country normally fares better than Scotland, Cumbria, and Northern Ireland, but we are the most exposed southwesterly part of the UK.

However, we should be prepared, and this is where travel advice must be heeded at all costs, only venture out if absolutely essential and in the right vehicle.

I had a vital trip for a family member to visit Exeter RD&E Hospital the morning after Storm Chandra, with the pick-up in Budleigh Salterton. There are only three routes in from the east side of Exeter under the M5.

The A30 airport road was closed due to flooding, the A376 from Exmouth to Clyst St Mary was also closed for the same reason, but I reckoned the old stone bridge at Topsham over the River Clyst outside Dart’s Farm might just be okay, as I had a Land Rover Discovery on the day.

Many vehicles took a look but turned around, and all the buses had stopped. However, I could see the route was marked out with lamp posts, and nearby gates were only half submerged. Just for one idiotic moment, I considered it feasible to take a chance and go for it. But who was to know if some of the bridge had been swept away unseen under the water?

Common sense, rational thinking, and fear soon took control, and the realisation that I really did not need to add myself and my passenger to RD&E’s patient list.

An about-turn and judicious use of satnav through the flooded but manageable lanes got me back onto the A3053 Sidmouth road the other side of Clyst St Mary, and all was well. Forty-five minutes extra was all it took.

Even if your trip is abandoned, nothing is worth that kind of risk to you or the emergency services.