The area is shown as "liable to flood" on the second
revision of the Ordnance Survey 1:10560 maps (c.1900-1949) and drainage channels across the area are
shown from the earliest OS maps onwards (c.1849-1899).
John Nettleship* notes
that the area has been flooded for well over half the year most years since at least 1950
, and that the
water level in the winter of 2004 was ~12 feet (3.65m) above the levels shown in these photos:
Photo;
Photo.
He also notes that a friend, who worked on the piles for the M48 elevation, said the
ground was deep water-lain muds, which stank, suggesting a considerable buildup of material
in the area*.