Heavy rain and flooding causes travel issues across the county

Rain and flooding are causing problems on the county’s roads this morning.

Drivers are being warned to take extra care with problems causing traffic hold ups across the county and in particular in Sittingbourne and Medwway.

On the M20 there are reports of problems on London-bound between J6 Maidstone and J4 Leybourne and coast-bound between J8 Leeds Castle and J9 Ashford.

In Gravesend, the A2 London-bound has slow moving traffic between M2 J1 and B255 Bean Lane, while in Hartlip, Warren Lane is closed between Matts Hill and Place Lane due to fly tipping.

There are also reports of long delays due to flooding at the Blackwall Tunnel for drivers heading into London.

Meanwhile on the rails, services into and out of London have been disrupted too, with Network Rail advising passengers to check before they travel, either their operator’s website or on National Rail Enquiries.

A spokesman said: “It’s a very fast moving picture this morning, with flash floods still arising and others falling in a variety of different routes into London.

“In addition, we are dealing with the aftermath of lightning strikes at Surbiton, which is on the main line into Waterloo, and at Blackheath.”

He added: “Our staff have been out all night and are still out in the rain working with pumps and repairing damage, and we are doing all that we can to keep trains running.”

There will be no let up in the bad weather today (Thursday) with weather forecasters predicting heavy showers and thunderstorms, with some torrential downpours possible this morning. It will then be a muggy day, with warm sunny spells, before further heavy and thundery downpours spread north during the afternoon. The maximum temperature will be 24°C.

Tonight there will be more showers and thunderstorms through the night, with some widespread clear spells developing. The odd patch of mist could then develop by dawn. The minimum temperature will be 12°C.