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Storm Bella traffic, road closures and flood alerts across Kent

Storm Bella has battered Kent and brought disruption on the roads and train services.

The M25 QE2 bridge from Essex into Dartford had to be closed earlier this morning.

The A20 between Lenham and Harrietsham Picture: UKNIP
The A20 between Lenham and Harrietsham Picture: UKNIP

Strong winds forced the closure between Junction 31 A1306 (Lakeside / Purfleet) and Junction1A A206 (Dartford).

Traffic was sent through one of the Dartford tunnels instead.

Bimbury Lane in both directions closed due to fallen power cables from Yelsted Road to A249 Sittingbourne Road.

The B245 in both directions partially blocked due to fallen tree between Mill Lane and A21 Tonbridge By-Pass (for the Hildenborough / Sevenoaks turn off)

In Hothfield Waterfall Road in both directions is blocked due to a fallen tree from Godinton Lane to Park Drive.

Storm Bella has hit Kent overnight Picture robertiez
Storm Bella has hit Kent overnight Picture robertiez

In Meopham Green Lane is blocked due after a tree fell close to Tradescant Drive.

The A259 between Kent and East Sussex and Kent is closed in both directions between the A268 Rye and A2070 in Brenzett due to fallen power cables.

Flooding has affected the B2244 Hastings Road at Merriments Lane while the B2162 Collier Street is blocked due to fallen power cables.

Further afield the A21 is blocked at Sedlescombe near the Battle turn-off after a tree fall.

The vast majority of the UK is subject to weather warnings as Storm Bella continues to pass through the country.

Forecasters say the south coast of England is likely to get winds of up to 70mph, and exposed coastal areas up to 80mph.

Flooding in Hunton near Maidstone Picture: James Lambert
Flooding in Hunton near Maidstone Picture: James Lambert

On the railways trains are not running between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings due to flooding at Frant.

Southeastern has tweeted to say there are disruptions to trains via Paddock Wood and Staplehurst.

An earlier tree fall on the line at West Malling has now been cleared and the Maidstone East line has reopened.

On the Maidstone East Line: The tree at #WestMalling has been removed and the line has been reopened.

Trains are suspended between Hastings and Ashford International, after a tree came down on the Southern route.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning with communities from Cornwall to Kent told to expect building damage and the possibility of flying debris in the stormy conditions.

A further 88 flood warnings have been issued in England.

They include along the River Teise and Lesser Teise area from Horsmonden to Yalding, including Paddock Wood, Claygate, Collier Street and Laddingford.

Flooding is possible for: the River Medway from Hampstead Lock at Yalding to Allington Lock, including East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Teston and Teston Park, Tovil and Maidstone including Millennium Park.

The Environment Agency also says flooding is possible along the Upper River Stour which includes Charing Heath Ashford and areas near the East Stour, in Swalecliffe, and at Minster and Warden Bay on the Isle of Sheppey

There are also concerns the Aylesford Stream could flood.

Heavy rain is predicted to last until 9am today, but more is forecast late tonight and into Monday.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has urged people to check Government advice, such as from the Environment Agency, who have asked people to keep away from “swollen rivers and flooded land”.

A statement on its website said: “It is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

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