Earthquake properties made safe

Damaged chimney in Bradstone Road. Photo by James McNeil

Every building damaged in the Kent earthquake has now been made safe but some are unfit for habitation, with families in temporary accommodation.

More than 1,500 homes in Folkestone were damaged in Saturday's tremor which measured 4.3 on the Richter scale.

"We had to work very closely with the fire service and scaffolders to prop up the buildings," said Shepway Council chief executive Alistair Stewart.

"There is a lot of scaffolding up and building work will take some weeks."

Four families are still in temporary council accommodation while others have been staying with friends and family.

It has been a week that people will talk about with great pride for some considerable time Alistair Stewart

"We have taken the view that if a house is in a mess - if soot has come down the chimney and it is completely black - people cannot live in it while it is cleaned up," said Mr Stewart.

"But the insurance companies have been absolutely brilliant at getting families back in quickly."

Trading standards officers have been handing out leaflets in the worst-affected Black Bull Road and Canterbury Road area warning householders against cowboy builders.

"There are some bogus builders out there and if people have concerns they can get in touch with County Hall," said Mr Stewart.

He said he was proud of the actions of council staff who reported for work after the earthquake.

"They have worked incredibly long hours to get this sorted out, at the same time as preparing for the local election," he said.

And he also praised the people of Folkestone for their patience.

"They stuck together and helped each other out.

"It has been a week that people will talk about with great pride for some considerable time."