Description:

Residents of Bromley Common and Chatterton Village were woken up in the early hours Thursday 3rd of December to find a serious flood in progress outside their homes; some roads were turned into virtual rivers.

A water main had burst in Bromley Common which totally flooded the road and caused the water to flow into the roads of Chatterton Village, culminating in a rushing river in Salisbury Road. Fire-fighters were desperately trying to divert the flow of water using plastic sheets. According to BBC News, a Thames Water Spokesman said the cold water may have caused the leak.

One resident of Salisbury Road, Anna Dedman, described the scene: “We were woken at 0220 by police on loud halers announcing the flooded road and asking for residents who needed assistance to make themselves known.

“When we looked out we couldn’t believe the depth of the river, we joined our neighbours downstairs to find that the water was inches from our front door.

“I’m glad I struggled out in my wellies to move the car to higher ground as other cars further down the street were being towed away today”.

Thames Water has advised that people in the postcodes BR1, BR2 and BR7 may experience a drop in water pressure. Also the repairs to the water main could take up to a week to repair, leaving commuters who regular use the busy Bromley Common Road faced with the task of finding alternative routes.