Poorly Drained Roads Flood Quickly After Rain Storm

Published on: 10 Aug, 2014
Updated on: 10 Aug, 2014

Some drivers, like this one in Woodbridge Road, continued at speed through the deep puddles formed because of blocked gully's.

Some drivers, like this one in Woodbridge Road, continued at speed through the deep puddles formed because of blocked gullies.

Blocked drains and gullies caused some roads to quickly flood this morning as the remains of an Atlantic Hurricane Bertha swept over Guildford.

Deep puddles, some over six inches deep formed causing some cars to slow down to a crawl while other drivers drove through them at speed their cars throwing up spray covering adjacent pavements.

A woman tries to sweep rainwater away from outside her property in Artillery Terrace, Guildford.

One women trying to sweep the rainwater away outside her property in Artillery Terrace was about to ring Surrey County Council to complain that the drains were not being cleared regularly enough.

The sole cause of the flooding appeared to be blocked drains, the River Wey remained well below flood level.

The river Wey still well below flood level at .... today (August 10).

The River Wey still well below flood level at 10am today (August 10).

The BBC had issued the following weather warning: “There is the potential for severe weather over much of the UK during Sunday as a complex depression tracks over the UK. There continues to be a great deal of uncertainty in the forecast but the public should be aware of the risk of flooding due to heavy rain as well as strong winds and large waves, particularly on the coasts of southern England and areas bordering the northern Irish Sea.

“Given the unseasonable nature of the weather this could be sufficient to disrupt transport and make outdoor activities dangerous.

“This remains a volatile situation, and this alert is likely to be updated as the event unfolds. The public are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and alerts through the weekend. ”

The bad weather is forecast to clear the region this afternoon and move northwards.

If you have stories or photos related to this morning’s heavy rain, from anywhere in Guildford Borough, please send them to guildford.dragon@gmail.com.

One of the deepest flash floods was on the A281 Guildford to Shalford road where the water appeared to be over six inches deep.

The A3100 Portsmouth Road is a regular trouble spot whenever there is heavy rain, much the annoyance of the residents of the cottages nearby.

St Catherine’s Village pond reforming where it used to be in the 1700s in Chestnut Avenue, Guildford.

Responses to Poorly Drained Roads Flood Quickly After Rain Storm

Martin Elliott Reply

August 10, 2014 at 11:39 am

Wisley weather station has reported only 18.4mm of rain this morning. Heavy for a short while, but after the clear up, inspections and renovation of the drainage after the river flooding earlier this year, could SUrrey County Council please explain why?
Bernard Parke Reply

August 10, 2014 at 3:27 pm

I have just driven along the Hog’s Back where a similar problem existed.

This was made considerably worse as the highway authority was endeavouring to unblocked the drainage system at this late stage.

This notorious section of the A31 is particularly noted for its fast moving traffic, much of which exceeds the speed limit when possible.

Under these conditions there is a danger of traffic tending to “water plane” with dire results.

If funding is a problem perhaps a local road tax should be introduced as many quite large cars pay no duty at all now.

Such road tax would no doubt help to solve any funding problem and even help to solve the pot hole crisis.
Jules Cranwell Reply

August 11, 2014 at 12:06 pm

Roads were similarly flooded along the route of the Ride London cycle race. Conditions along Ripley Lane were particularly bad.

Yet, this is where GBC proposes to build hundreds of houses on the green belt.