Flooding at Birling Road near the bridge over the M20

by political editor Paul Francis

Some 70,000 homes across Kent could be at risk of flooding, according to a report assessing the potential consequences of serious storms on towns and villages.

Kent County Council has estimated that 70,074 properties and 117,000 residents could be affected by major storms.

And it is the County Town of Maidstone that could be worst-affected with close to 5,000 homes vulnerable.

Environment chiefs have based their calculations on the likelihood of a major storm flood occurring once in 200 years.

Nevertheless, a report says Kent has the highest number of homes that could be affected than any other part of the country and describes the level of risk as significant.

KCC has a new responsibility to manage the risks presented by flooding caused by surface water.

Its calculations do not take into account the additional risk associated with river and coastal flooding.

According to the draft Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Report, Maidstone emerges as the most vulnerable area of Kent.

Nearly 5,000 homes in the County Town are estimated to be at risk from serious storms, along with 23km of roads and railways; 488 business premises and 62 critical services such as schools, hospitals and electricity sub-stations.

In Maidstone’s surrounding villages, a further 1,101 homes are said to be vulnerable along with another 30 critical services.

The second most vulnerable part of Kent is identified as Gravesend and Northfleet, where 3,790 homes and 23 critical services are said to be at risk.

That is followed by Dartford, where 3,530 homes, 617 non-residential properties and 62 critical services are vulnerable.

In the east of the county, Folkestone has the highest number of homes - 3,389 - and 31 critical services at risk.

Canterbury has 3,109 homes and 55 critical services and Ashford - an area that has seen significant hosuing development in recent years - 1,459 homes and 35 critical services.

According to KCC, the risk in the county is spread evenly, with every district having at least one area vulnerable.

The report states: "This leads to a total risk in Kent that is very high and the challenge as a [flood authority] to manage this risk is significant."

Thirteen flooded homes in Castlemere Avenue, Queenborough

It goes on to suggest that additional risks to some parts of the county are even higher because of the potential for groundwater and watercourse flooding.

The report also identifies how hundreds of acres of farmland could be prone to flooding. Ashford has the greatest risk here with 4,136 acres at risk.

In a statement, KCC said: "It must be stressed that this assessment does not identify individual properties at risk.

"Properties that are in a high risk area may not be at risk of flooding. Similarly properties in low risk areas may still be vulnerable to surface water flooding."

Detailed maps setting out risk areas but not individual homes are due to be published by KCC later this summer.

To see the full draft report:http://bit.ly/pwOVdE