Flooding on Tonbridge Road (1918)

Post date: Feb 20, 2014 8:7:14 PM

On 23rd March4 1918 the minutes of the Parish Council (Kent Archives PC 301/A/1/1) record the following:

Mr. O. English1 drew the council's attention to constant flooding of the road near the Church, which was caused through a blockage of the drain from Mr. Brocklebank's lake2 across the road to Sir Geo. Wolseley's3 stream. 

The clerk was instructed to write to the County Surveyor regarding the matter. 

Mr. Sharpe proposed, Mr. Cheeseman seconded that the County Surveyor be asked to place Danger Signals at two concealed turnings in Bow Road, one at the entrance of Bow Terrace and one at the entrance of Phoenix Brewery Stables.  Carried unan.

The County Surveyor, H.T. Chapman, replied on March 28th 1918 addressed to R. French, The Limes, Bow Road, Wateringbury as follows:

Dear Sir,

I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday drawing attention to the flooding of the main road adjoining Wateringbury Church, which your Council is of opinion is due to the temporary blockage of a drain crossing the road and taking water from Mr. Brocklebank's lake to Sir George Wolseley's stream.

I will see that this matter receives early attention.

I also note your Council's request that motor notices should be placed in Bow Road near the entrances to Bow Terrace and Phoenix Brewery stables. Owing to the diminished motor traffic consequent on the War, it is not considered so necessary to erect motor notices on roads but should this place be of exceptional danger, then it will receive careful consideration.

It appears to me however that persons coming from private property onto a main road ought to exercise caution. 

Your faithfully, 

[signed] H.T. Chapman 

Notes: 

1. Owen English of Manor Farm was a Parish councillor at the time.

2. Mr. Brocklebank was owner of Wateringbury Place.

3. Sir George Wolseley was tenant of The Thatched House.

4. The collapse of Russia in 1917 enabled Germany to shift forces from the East to the Western front, allowing them on 21st March to launch a major offensive on the Somme, preceded by a barrage including gas shells.  By the date of this correspondence the Germans had achieved the most significant territorial advances since 1914.