Tunbridge Wells residents' plea for action after 20 years of floods
PRESSURE is growing to stop a flood which Tunbridge Wells residents say has been occurring for more than 20 years.
The latest bout of wet weather has triggered torrents of water gushing down the busy A264 between Langton Green and Stone Cross, causing hazardous driving conditions.
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DRIVE CAREFULLY: A car makes its way through floodwater on the A264 between Langton and Ashurst on Tuesday morning TWAH20120508B-002_C.jpg
Long-suffering neighbour Jean Burgess, who lives on the affected road, says the issue has existed for "20 to 30 years".
She said: "It's something that keeps happening whenever we have a deluge of rain, and I don't know why. Maybe it's leaves blocking the drain? It comes over the road and on to to my field."
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Mrs Burgess, who runs Stone Ness walled garden for adults with learning difficulties or mental health issues, says engineers have tried and failed to fix the problem.
"Whenever I drive along there, I always hope the road is clear and go round it. If I went through it, I would probably ground my car," she said.
"It would be worse if it was concreted instead of a field."
Fields and woodland surround the picturesque stretch of narrow road.
Over recent weeks motorists driving eastbound towards Langton Green have faced difficult driving conditions, with the water streaming out on to the left-hand side of the road and down the hill.
Michelle Burnett, who lives in Fordcombe Road, Fordcombe, said: "It's always been quite bad.
"It's one of those places. There's nowhere for the water to go.
"That road is not the safest."
A South East Water spokesman said it was unaware of the historic issues but was due to send a technician to carry out an investigation on Wednesday.
"The company takes leakage very seriously, particularly during times of drought." he said. "Investment in finding and fixing leaks will continue to be a priority."
No-one from Kent County Council was available to comment as the Courier went to press.
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