Traffic lights are controlling traffic through Tovil after heavy overnight rain led to a landslide and the collapse of a ragstone wall.

Earth and stones spilled across Hayle Mill Road in the Lower Loose Valley on Monday morning.

Wendy Stead, who lives opposite the slide, described “a heavy vibration” at about 11.30am. She said: “I looked out and there was rubble right across the road.”

Kent Highways attended and cleared the debris to one side of the narrow lane and installed the traffc lights as a temporary measure.

The wall belongs to Aaron Stone, owner of the Hayle Place Stud Farm, but is part of a parcel of land destined to be transferred to Maidstone council under the terms of a planning agreement to form a country park for the borough.