Press Release: 22.03.09

22nd March 2009

Kent Highways “ditch” common sense.

Local Conservatives are calling on Kent Highway Services to make safe a ditch dug in a field in Bredgar Road.

The ditch, adjacent to Oakwood Cottages at Policeman’s Corner, Tunstall, was dug in advance of road works in Bredgar Road designed to solve a flooding problem in the area.

However, local residents complained that the ditch had been left uncovered and was unsafe for the many people who use the public footpath leading through the field, including local scouts.

The matter was taken up by local ward councillors, Alan and Jean Willicombe, and Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Gordon Henderson.

Cllr Alan Willicombe said:

‘I am pleased that Kent Highway Services are doing something to solve the flooding problem on that stretch of Bredgar Road. I appreciate that the ditch is a necessary part of the scheme, however, I am disgusted at the way in which the ditch was simply left open and without warning signs. Kent Highways appear not to have used even a modicum of common sense when undertaking this work.

‘A local resident has actually built a wooden safety barrier at one end of the ditch, but what is really needed is for the ditch to be covered and made safe.

‘Last week Jean and I arranged a meeting with our local Parliamentary Candidate and Kent Highways Services to see if we could work out solution. The site engineer has agreed to fill the ditch with shingle to make it safe, but I am a little concerned this might take too long and an accident will occur before the work is finished.’