There appears to be no solution in sight for an annual flooding issue at a riverside underpass.

The subway which links Newtown to the Kimberley Way Asda in Ashford has flooded every winter for a number of years, making the route almost impassable.

If trying to get to the supermarket, the only alternative to the six-metre crossing is to walk around the Designer Outlet - a diversion of almost a mile.

Homeowners have now spoken out in an attempt to resolve the inconvenience, raising fears that it could cause injury.

Newtown resident Charli Wilson, who used to live in Great Chart, said: "I still remember the day when I got the bus with my children to take them to their school, East Stour Primary.

"I walked to the underpass and saw it was flooded, so I had to walk all the way around with five very cold, wet children - a very long distance for kids.

"When we finally arrived, they had to be provided with whole new uniforms because they know children are at risk of this.

"It's a measure that shouldn't have to be needed, and an inconvenience that parents and children shouldn't be subjected to."

Another Newtown resident said: "Dropped my kid in it trying to get home, it makes us late for school run and you have no choice but to wade through it.

"I sat all day at work trying to dry my shoes just to walk through nearly knee high water on the way home from work."

Some solutions have been suggested, including extending the wall bordering the Stour or reinstating a foot crossing further along the train track.

Helz Wait said: "There's a section next to the wall that is at path level. Surely a longer brick wall would help a lot. There's nothing quite like rushing to work to find it flooded and then having to walk around the entire outlet to get back to Asda."

Another, James Hazeldon, said: ""The first thing you need to remember is this was never a footpath until Asda/Outlet was developed.

"The path is almost level to the river so you can never stop it flooding - it always has and always will, unless there is a lot of money invested in a large solid concrete wall that will be strong enough to hold back the river.

"In my construction days was involved in several of this flood defense walls and I cannot see how it’s feasible to do under the railway bridge without causing disruption and closure of it to allow works.

"Either people should know by now heavy rain equals flooded under bridge, and allow extra time to walk around along Newtown Road or just stop complaining it’s unlikely to ever change."

Kent County Council, which is responsible for the underpass, echoed the lack of a viable solution.

A spokesman said: "Due to the location we are unable to get a tanker to drain the footpath as access is restricted.

"As the cause of the flooding is from the stream there is no viable option that allows us to remove the water from the footpath, as while the river level remains high, this will continue to flood back onto the footpath.

"An extension of the wall, which is not owned by KCC, has been considered, but by extending it we would also need to discharge any surface water collecting on the footpath and a drainage pipe would need to connect into the stream.

"There is then a risk that the pipe could flood back through it and flood the footpath when water levels rise in the river.

"The footpath is the low point and therefore surface water will continue to collect here, even if the wall is extended or additional drainage installed.

"As the cause of the flooding is from the stream there is no viable option that allows us to remove the water from the footpath." - Kent County Council spokesman

"As it is under the Network Rail bridge, it is also not possible for us adjust the height because of the restricted headroom."

One positive story has come out of the latest series of floods affecting the underpass.

Holliefay Luck took to social media to thank a man who helped her 16-year-old daughter get to work.

The good samaritan let Willow sit on his bike while he pushed her through the water.

Speaking to the Kentish Express, the grateful mum said: "The guy was so kind and Ashford has been constantly plagued by negativity and grumbling lately, so I wanted the town to know that there are still good people willing to do good deeds at their own expense.

"I've lived here 20 years next year and didn't think I could be surprised by anything, but that was a surprise and I'm very protective of my daughter so that kindness meant the world to me."

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