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Campaign to fix drainage problems on Sandwich Road has been launched by residents and MP Laura Sandys.

A campaign to fix drainage problems on Sandwich Road has been launched by residents and MP Laura Sandys.

This comes after Anna Wheeler, 24, of Hazelwood Meadows, Sandwich, was involved in an accident along the A256 when her car flipped and became submerged in flood water.

Anna Wheeler says physiotherapy has made her back problems worse
Anna Wheeler says physiotherapy has made her back problems worse

Two weeks ago, the Mercury reported that despite concerns the road could flood again, police said the cause of the accident was unclear and suggested it could have been the speed of the vehicle or the adverse weather conditions.

Anna’s father, Richard Wheeler, 65, said: “It hadn’t been raining along there for three days, there were no flood signs.

“Just because she’s a young girl they think they can say she was speeding.

“When I spoke to police initially they said it was the road and now they’ve changed their minds.”

Miss Wheeler added: “The road should have just been shut.

“After I had my accident, on the Saturday, someone else had an accident and the road was shut during the night time. I was very lucky, someone else could have died and someone will die along there if it’s not sorted.”

Almost another collision on the A256, Sandwich Road, witnessed by Mercury photographer Gary Browne.
Almost another collision on the A256, Sandwich Road, witnessed by Mercury photographer Gary Browne.

Miss Wheeler is recovering from fracturing her back in three places and has just had her back brace removed.

On reading the Mercury, a resident from Deal has spoken out about his own accident on Sandwich Road.

Kenneth Blakemore, 80, said: “The depth of water, which was invisible as I approached, brought my car to a sudden halt. I was extremely shaken. I’m surprised nobody has been killed.”

“Now I want to hear from anybody who has had a minor accident, damage to vehicle or other problems due to this very dangerous obstacle.”

The wreckage of the crash
The wreckage of the crash

MP Laura Sandys held a site meeting with Highways on the A256 last week to raise her concerns about the flooded dyke and drains.

She said: “I had a productive meeting with Kent Highway services last week and raised my serious concerns about the safety of the road and its predisposition to flooding.

"I was very lucky, someone else could have died and someone will die along there if it’s not sorted.” - Anna Wheeler.

“I am very pleased that Highways has committed to finding a way to solve this problem and expects to undertake the relevant works this summer. In order to find the best way to resolve this issue, it is important that Highways has as much information as possible and so I will be writing to local residents and landowners directly in order to ascertain whether they have had any problems with flooding or excess groundwater.”

Ms Sandys and Mr Blakemore are now calling for others who have suffered problems with flooding on Sandwich Road to get in touch.

To contact Mr Blakemore call 07989300129, and contact MP Laura Sandys at laura.sandys.mp@parliament.uk.

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