‘People need to be prepared’

River watchers are becoming increasingly fearful that homes and roads in Canterbury could be flooded.

The Environment Agency is continuing to issue alerts for the Stour and the Nailbourne Valley after several days of rain and high tides.

Railway Hill and Out Elmstead

Lane in Barham were closed with flood barriers by the city council ahead of downpours yesterday (Wed). Recently, Grove Ferry boatyard owner Roy Newing warned that dozens of trees in the Stour were causing the river to back up.

Already the Stour has flooded surrounding marshes and the Westgate Gardens in Canterbury.

But Martin Twyman, who chairs the Little Stour and Nailbourne River Management Group, fears there is worse to come.

“I’m very anxious about what is ahead because the river continues to build up towards Fordwich, “he said.

“The fact is we are a fortnight ahead in terms of what we would expect flooding levels to be, which is a worry. “And that’s largely due to the 151mm of rain we had in January

compared to 50mm last year.”

Mr Twyman, a farmer, added: “We still have a long period of winter and more rain forecast and there’s no sign of any settled weather.

“I am very nervous because I think we have some bad times ahead. I don’t want to be alarmist but people need to be prepared.

“We’ve been having Zoom meetings with the Environment

Agency and I have been quite firm in saying I don’t think they quite realise how things have changed since last year. “I am predicting we will get the infiltration of water in the sewage system in the Littlebourne area and tankers will be need to go around pumping out sewers in houses.”

The EA is continuing to clear blocked drains and monitor the situation. It has warned drivers to steer clear of flooded roads.

Picture: Mark Chandler The River Stour has recently burst its banks at Westgate Gardens in Canterbury

Grove Ferry boatyard owner Roy Newing says trees in the Stour are creating a flooding risk