Discussions regarding alleviating the regular flooding in Lower Barn Road are continuing. I am aware that long term residents recall flooding occurring by Riddlesdown Station for some years but there is a perception that it has got worse in recent years. Even this winter it seemed to occur every few weeks and I recall standing outside St Edmunds in February watching a river flow over the zebra crossing and down into Lower Barn Road where the drains could not cope with the volume of water and waders would have been required to walk under the railway bridge.
It has taken a while but there now appears to be a plan to reduce the level of flooding which will be implemented this summer. The initial aim is to prevent water making its way down Lower Barn Road in the first place. This will involve installing geocellular crates under the green areas at the Lower Barn Road /Buttermere Gardens/Mitchley Avenue junction. These will not be visible, being underground, and will serve as storage tanks for the water, which will then drain out at a slower rate. There is also a proposal of a raised table across the zebra crossing which will slow the water down as it comes down from Sanderstead.
I have asked Council Officers to consult with members of the Residents Association as they will have good local as well as technical knowledge. I am sure the plans will change to some extent over the next few months and the effects of the work will be reviewed with more action taken if required. On a practical level, I am concerned that work on this junction may clash with the re-opening of Riddlesdown Collegiate in September – a combination that may cause traffic mayhem. I have asked that this be considered when planning the timing of work.
