Floods spark drains upgrade plea

The council said drains were cleared out shortly before the latest floods

More government money is needed to upgrade Kent's "outdated drainage system" after heavy rain left residents and businesses counting the cost.

The county council said the investment was needed to make the 50-year-old system fit for the 21st Century and able to cope with high volumes of rain.

Fire crews in east Kent received more than 70 calls overnight, with Hythe, Folkestone and Whitstable worst hit.

Councillor Keith Ferrin warned worse could follow without proper drainage.

The cabinet member for environment, highways and waste said highway services had done all it could to keep roads open and clear debris in the flooded area.

It's causing havoc today and there will be worse to follow unless something is done now Councillor Keith Ferrin, Kent County Council

"No drainage system in the country could have coped with the volume of water which hit east Kent," Mr Ferrin said.

"We are hampered by having such an outdated drainage system."

Mr Ferrin said with the prospect of lots more new homes in Kent, proper drainage was essential.

"It's causing havoc today and there will be worse to follow unless something is done now."

The county council said homes were flooded for the second time in a month in parts of Capel, near Folkestone, despite the local drains having been completely jet-blasted and cleaned out by Kent Highway Services.

Engineers are now carrying out tests using cameras to find the cause.

Pilot studies

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said responsibility for maintaining drains was shared between several bodies including water companies, local authorities and highway authorities, as well as private landowners.

"We are, however, seeking views from all key stakeholders on how the Environment Agency could have a strategic overview of all forms of inland flooding," a statement said.

"To inform this work, a series of pilot studies have been set up to look at how we can better streamline management of surface water flooding in urban areas."

The government stressed its commitment to dealing with problems, after announcing flood defence funding would rise to £800m by 2010/11.