Kentish Express Ashford & District
Where there’s a wall
sawilliams@thekmgroup. co.uk Residents have been forced to take a long detour after the footpath that runs from Asda, in Kimberley Way to Newtown, was completely blocked by flood water.
Water from an adjoining stream rose above the bank and spilled onto the public footpath – which runs underneath the Ashford-Hastings railway line – following heavy rainfall.
Among those affected was Demi Caplin, 20, who had travelled by bus from the town centre to the supermarket with the hope of cutting through to get to Newtown.
However, after discovering the pathway was a no-go, she was forced to turn around and walk all the way round the Ashford Designer Outlet in the rain to get home.
One young man, however, braved getting wet and used an assortment of obstacles in order to pass through, including a brick wall and a semi-submerged shopping trolley, as our run of pictures show.
This isn’t the first time the footpath has flooded and Newtown resident Claire Ray believes something must be done about it soon.
The mother said: “The path underneath the bridge by Asda is constantly flooded. It’s been like it for ages and no one has done anything about it. The elderly can’t get through and nei-
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk ther can anyone else. I have seen people put black bin bags over their shoes to save walking the long way around.
“It’s not fair to let residents of Newtown and South Willesborough suffer by having to walk ages to get to anything.
“They need to raise the banks to stop it happening again.”
Katie Lewis, drainage and flood manager for Kent County Council’s Highways department, said: “We are aware of the flooding on Kimberley Way, which is caused by the high river levels following the recent heavy rain. Due to the height of the railway bridge we cannot increase the level of the footway. However, it has been profiled to allow the water to drain back into the river when the flow subsides.”