Work has started on a £300,000 scheme designed to tackle flooding caused by torrential downpours.

For years, residents have encountered problems on and around land off the A2 Canterbury Road in Sittingbourne.

Heavy rains have seen homes flooded and vehicles partially submerged with water turning the green space into a lake.

Middle Way, which leads to St John’s Avenue, has been particularly affected, with people saying the area can resemble “a running river” after downpours.

Kent County Council contractors are now installing a 1,000 cubic meter storage basin to manage and disperse excess water.

This will also include upgrades to drainage under Canterbury Road near Snipes Hill which will see temporary traffic lights put in place during the works.

Workers will also be planting wildflowers, trees, shrubs and putting in boulders to beautify the area.

The scheme, which is expected to take around eight weeks, is being funded by the government’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid.

People living in Middle Way have told KentOnline how they are glad to see the improvements come.

Chris Howes, who has lived in the street for around 16 years, remembers “flooding always being a problem”.

The 75-year-old former school advisor took pictures during a particularly bad storm on May 29, 2018.

They show water sitting on the green, the pavement and road.

She said: “I am happy to see something being done about it as flooding has been an issue for years.

“At one point every time it rained for a few days it would cause flooding, although it did not come into your house.

“Hopefully all the work they’re doing will solve it and make the area look a bit nicer.

“I’ll be happy until the kids come and wreck it all.”

Vicky Hooper also remembers the 2018 flooding and watching a nurse having to wade through the water to get to a property.

The 49-year-old moved to Middle Way just a month after the flooding but was there in the May as she looked after her father who has lived in the road for 21 years.

She said: “It floods when we have torrential rain and I remember that being particularly bad.

“The water would come right up to the pavement and get so bad that my partner would have to go and move his van.

“I’m hoping the work KCC does will sort it out and make it look a bit nicer – until the kids ruin it.”

Ward councillor Karen Watson (Lab) says the project has been a “long time coming”.

She said: “After years of lobbying of Kent Council Council by Cllr Tim Gibson [Swale council leader] on behalf of residents, the work to reduce the risk of flooding is finally taking place.

“Residents have been extremely patient and we hope this and their understanding will continue while this vital work is being done.

“Over the years, homes have been blighted by flooding and much stress caused by lack of protection from the water.

“We look forward to the conclusion of the work with an attractive, usable space for the local community restored.

“Wider environmental improvements such as new planting and landscape features including wildflowers, trees, shrubs and boulders will be created.

“These works are a long time coming but greatly appreciated. At last residents’ voices have been heard.”