A gas pipe could cause catastrophic damage and even death if it is hit again, a Sandwich resident has warned.

She has spoken out after the pipe in Austins Lane was “demolished” by a reversing motorist, causing the evacuation of nearby properties.

Christine Cummings (pictured) was one of the residents who had to leave their home. She said the woman drove off after damaging the main which led to gas leaking straight into her house.

Mrs Cummings told the Mercury: “The fact I was here was miraculous because I usually work on a Tuesday. Gas would have been pumping into my house. My dogs would have been killed.

"What if this happened at night? It would only take a passing smoker to light a cigarette and then the whole street would go up” - Christine Cummings, Austins Lane

“There’s always the question of what if this had happened at night? It would only take a passing smoker to light a cigarette and then the whole street would go up.”

Austins Lane is a single track two-way street linking New Street with King Street. Motorists frequently have to reverse out to allow oncoming vehicles to pass.

Mrs Cummings claims this is how the pipe was hit last Tuesday and it could happen again at any time.

She has campaigned for one-way traffic there, contacting Kent Highway Services at the county council.

No response was received but correspondence sent to town councillor M.J. Holloway on the matter claims KCC has already checked the safety records for the area, but it doesn’t meet the criteria for intervention.

Now she says stopping two-way traffic is vital to preventing the pipe being damaged again and KCC has said talks will continue.

A spokesman said: “While we sympathise, we have to make tough decisions on where to improve traffic and road safety in local areas.

“We look at the sites most in need of improvement first, which have got the support of the whole community.

“However, we have been asked to look into resolving the traffic issues in Austins Lane as part of the first tranche of works to be undertaken as part of the A Vision for Sandwich Project and we have already begun working on this.”

Mrs Cummings is also calling on Southern Gas Networks, which repaired the leak last Tuesday, to install a protective casing around the pipe to safeguard residents in future.

Claire Buchanan, a spokesperson for gas distribution company SGN said: “Service pipes, which carry gas from the gas main to the customer’s meter, are installed to gas industry standards and specifications.

“However, as the customer has concerns we will be sending an engineer to meet with her and provide reassurance.”

Sandwich Town Councillor and Town Team member Cllr MJ Holloway is supporting Mrs Cummings in her campaign.

He said: “Plans to make changes to the centre of Sandwich’s road system are now being worked on by KCC as part of the Vision for Sandwich project.

"This project is in follow up to the Rummey Design Consultancy earlier this year on which residents were consulted.

"Austins Lane is included in that and the incident last week underlines the urgency and need to sort out Sandwich’s traffic problems to avoid damage to property and injuries to residents and visitors."

“I am in touch with Christine Cummings and KCC in this matter and am pushing for Austin’s Lane to be given priority.

“The vision for Sandwich project has just started and Sandwich Town Council and DDC will issue details on this shortly."