Mary Reid

UPDATE - Thames Water Emergency Line this weekend: 08459 200800

The torrential downpour this morning has affected many of the roads around Kingston. On the latest updates from the Council's travel section it seems that hardly any buses are running in or out of the town centre at present. In fact, all traffic was diverted out of the town centre as part of the Kingston's Emergency Procedures, and access is still very bad.

There has been, and may still be, flooding under several bridges. Cambridge Road is closed.  I tried to shop at Waitrose in Surbiton just as the rain was easing off but the car park was closed. There is a growing collection of photos on the Surrey Comet's website.

As far as Council housing is concerned priority for repairs has been given to sheltered housing. Some people may have to move to temporary accommodation.

I'm not aware of any such problems in the South of the Borough but do get in touch if you need help.

I've heard that the Hook and Tolworth underpasses on the A3 are now open but the New Malden one is still closed. The A3 and, further afield, the M25, are severely congested.

The Hogsmill River running through the Guildhall complex is at its highest level. I was due in for a meeting at the Guildhall this afternoon but the advice is not to travel into town, so we have postponed it.  Getting home this evening may be quite a problem for staff at the Council and in general for people working in Kingston.

You can check the latest local traffic news here.

6pm - all roads through Kingston are now open, although there are some holdups around flood damaged vehicles in places.