Photo: Alan Divers.
While many areas of England are sadly experiencing major flooding during the recent excessive weather conditions, our local roads have not been unaffected.
Take Boxted Lane, Newington; it is frequently flooded, and recent heavy rainfall has worsened the problem to the extent that the road is now virtually impassable.
KCC state that “it appears that the grips or channels to drain the water into the field are deliberately blocked by the adjacent landowner”; but in spite of the extensive flooding across the road all they have done is to write to the landowner to “ask him to clear the channels”.
Boxted Lane appears to KCC as a little-used ‘minor’ road, but it is actually frequently used daily by numerous people trying to avoid the A2 at Newington, and as a shortcut between Bobbing, Iwade and Newington to the Medway towns and further. Its use is further increased when the A2 and/or M2 are closed due to an RTC or roadworks. When both the A2 and M2 are closed, Boxted Lane is completely congested.
So what is KCC doing to help the current situation?
Well, the Highways Drainage team apparently believe that the flooding in Boxted Lane “does not meet their criteria for intervention”.
Which leads one to ask, “If a road so badly flooded as to be impassable does not require intervention, then what does?” and “What exactly does KCC’s Flood and Water Management Team actually do, if not to help local people with issues like this?”
Major roadworks diversions are shortly due to take place along the A2, requiring the closure of Newington High Street for several weeks; this will have a major impact on the roads locally and affect the surrounding areas. Boxted Lane will then become gridlocked.
Cllr Richard Palmer, Ward Member for Hartlip, Newington, & Upchurch, and Cabinet Member for Communities, has contacted KCC on several occasions, as he believes this issue should be tackled urgently. He said, "KCC has ignored this issue for years but as our housing numbers increase and our roads become congested at times, so people try to avoid the main routes by using rat runs through country lanes. This is a problem many villages in Kent face but with Boxted Lane at Newington being flooded owing to damaged 'grips/drains' is, in my opinion, a matter KCC should solve. I would hope that KCC would review its policy and reassess Boxted Lane."
For further information, contact Councillor Richard Palmer: 07702 674721
Jill Sidders
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Thank you
Since receiving Jill's article KCC has now put Flood warning signs in place in Boxted Lane.
Upchurch Matters
Thank you
Since receiving Jill's article KCC has now put Flood warning signs in place in Boxted Lane.
Upchurch Matters
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