Snow arrives, and with it problems on Rock Hill

With the first snowfall of winter, I have had calls from local residents about problems on Rock Hill in Well Hill. The road is treated as a secondary route in Kent Highways Winter Service Plan, which means that it is treated in periods of prolonged winter weather. Secondary routes were gritted on Monday night, and following a call to KHS I was able to confirm that gritters were going out on secondary routes this lunchtime. I understand that the gritter broke down on Rock Hill but that the work should be completed shortly.

There are particular problems on the side of the hill facing towards Bromley because of water runoff - something that we are once more working to resolve (see post of 24 August). In addition, at some points in the past, the Bromley side of the hill was missed off the gritting route, even though those who live there are still Kent residents and council tax payers. This is a point that I have taken up with KHS in the past, and they have confirmed that both sides of the hill are on the route.

However, today's problems were on the Shoreham as well as the Bromley-facing side of the hill. The arrival of the gritter should resolve the problems for new, but I will keep in contact with local residents to monitor problems and see if a Plan B is needed for this high and steep road.