Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch hits out at Kent County Council for A20 flooding
19:48, 16 November 2020
updated: 20:34, 16 November 2020
A Kent MP has hit out at the council after flooding in the same part of her constituency for the past 10 years.
Tracey Crouch has said Kent County Council has failed to provide a long-term solution for flooding woes on the A20 near the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate in Aylesford.
The 45-year-old revealed today she has written to KCC's traffic boss Michael Payne, asking why, after years of promises to fix the problem, is the location still flooding.
In the letter she described having to again write to the authority as "enormously frustrating".
The MP said: "I am writing to you regarding the ongoing issue of flooding on the A20 on the section of road adjacent to the Quarry Wood Industrial Estate.
"For the past 10 years this is an issue I have consistently raised with the various KCC Cabinet Members for Highways.
"Each and every time we experience heavy rainfall, such as this weekend, it is a certainty that the road will flood at this precise location, presenting an obvious dangers to motorists and pedestrians.
"In response to my queries, I have received numerous assurance that KCC are aware of the issue and that solutions were being worked on to resolve the problem.
"In 2019, KCC advised that they were working with the Crown Estate, the owners of the industrial estate, to discuss potential long-term solutions involving an additional storage tank.
"However, given the flooding this weekend, it is clear that KCC have either ignored the concerns of local residents in this matter, or failed to bring forward a much-needed long-term solution to reduce the persistent flooding.
"The temporary measures of a tanker being sent to clear the floodwater is simply not good enough given the regularity of the flooding, which clearly requires a long-term solution.
"It is enormously frustrating to have to write yet again to ask for more assurances that KCC finally resolve the issue.
"I would therefore be grateful for an update on what discussions KCC have had regarding flooding at the site including what, if any, engineering works have taken place or are scheduled to take place.
"In the event that no works have taken place or are scheduled, I would like an explanation as to why given the obvious safety concern and assurances I and others have received from KCC."
In 2019, Tracey Crouch was still fighting the same battle and was close to "blowing her top" over the state of the town's flood defences, more than a year after the council was meant to have fixed it.
KCC have been approached for comment.
