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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*.