Local residents are expressing outrage at drivers who disregard warnings and end up trapped in a well-known “puddle” on a rural road, arguing that these motorists should bear the costs of their own rescues.

Recently, a video surfaced showing firefighters responding to a call to rescue a woman who found herself stranded in shallow floodwaters in Hall Green, Birmingham. The footage captures the moment the woman clutches a yellow rope tossed to her by the firefighters, allowing her to finally open her car door and escape.

Community members are speaking out, noting that this is hardly the first occurrence of such incidents. They criticize the repeated rescue operations as a “drain on resources,” highlighting the need for a more permanent solution.

Timothy Huxtable, a Conservative councillor with Birmingham City Council, has been a vocal advocate for closing the road altogether to prevent any potential serious injuries. His ongoing campaign underscores the urgency of addressing this recurring issue.

Timothy Huxtable, a Conservative councillor on Birmingham City Council, has campaigned for the road to be closed before someone is seriously injured. 

He explained that the area is clearly marked with signs from both directions, warning motorists not to cross if it is flooded.

Nevertheless despite the warnings, he said the fire brigade are called out to rescue at least three or four people every year. 

Video footage emerged last week of firefighters being called out to save a woman who became stranded in shallow water in Hall Green, Birmingham

Councillor Timothy Huxtable is pictured at the ford. He has campaigned to have the road closed due to the continued rescues

The woman is seen getting out of the car into water that was about knee-high 

Mr Huxtable told the Daily Mail: ‘The problem is that it keeps happening. 

‘In heavy rainfall there is always one driver who goes through the ford, gets stuck and has to be rescued. 

‘The vast majority of people, they use the ford safely but there are an ever increasing number who keep getting trapped and it is just a drain on resources. 

‘There are warnings from both sides as you approach the ford – there’s a depth gauge and also red triangle warnings. 

‘But even though there is adequate signage, saying this is dangerous in heavy rainfall, you still get drivers that attempt to cross. 

‘I would say there are people rescued by the fire brigade at least three or four times a year.’

Footage shared on social media shows a number of cars attempting to cross the flooded ford in the aftermath of Storm Bram. 

The storm left some areas a total washout, with streets submerged, piers collapsed and overturned lorries. 

Footage shared on social media shows a number of cars attempting to cross the flooded ford in the aftermath of Storm Bram

Pictured: The driver reaching dry land after being rescued from the shallow body of water by firefighters

Speaking of the woman who had to be rescued in the now viral video, Mr Huxtable said it was ‘obviously’ right for her to be saved. 

However, he questioned whether the taxpayer should be forking out to rescue people who ignored the warning signs and still attempted to cross.  

‘Whether or not the insurance company will pay out given there were warnings that were disregarded is another issue,’ he said. 

‘If people ignore the warnings then I personally wouldn’t have an issue with them having to pay for their own rescue. 

Mr Huxtable explained that there were two other fords in the area  – on Scribers Lane and Slade Lane – that have already been closed to the traffic on safety grounds. 

‘They were closed for exactly the same reason – cars were going through the ford and getting trapped in heavy rainfall and having to be rescued by the fire service,’ he added. 

Mr Huxtable said it was only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured or killed at the crossing.  

A car attempts to cross the flooded ford in Birmingham in videos shared on social media 

A depth gauge has been added to the ford in an attempt to discourage drivers from crossing 

Mr Huxtable explained that there were two other fords in the area – on Scribers Lane and Slade Lane – that have already been closed to the traffic on safety grounds

However, social media users were quick to mock the woman for having to be rescued from such a shallow body of water. 

‘That’s embarrassing on both ends,’ one quipped, while a second added: ‘The human race is doomed.’ 

A third joked: ‘Don’t know what’s worse, her being rescued like that or the fire service actually wearing life jackets while attempting to save her from a puddle?’

While some questioned why she could not have made her way out of the situation without emergency assistance, others debated if it was a ‘comedy sketch’.

Meanwhile, certain viewers were left outraged, saying the driver should be charged a fee ‘for [the fire service’s] wasted time.’