Anger over tankers after South East Water disruption

Tankers being used by a water company to fill a storage tank after recent supply issues have been causing misery for residents "at all hours of the day", they said.

Tunbridge Wells councillor Hugo Pound has called for a "permanent fix" after he was contacted by people who told him they were "sick to death" of the vehicles transporting water to the site.

Pound said residents near the Blackhurst drinking water storage tank on Pembury Road felt let down by South East Water after they were assured the firm would only need to fill it up once, only to find tankers did not stop coming.

Nick Bell, SEW's head of water supply in Kent, said: "We have been working with the drivers to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum."

Linda Jackson, from Sandown Close, said tankers were causing gridlock, adding: "It can take 40 minutes to get out and onto the main road."

Martin Alderman, in Malton Way called for "transparency and honesty" from South East Water, adding: "They've gone back on their word with the water tankers and it's dangerous for everyone who lives here."

In December, thousands of homes across Kent and East Sussex went without water for days, and earlier this month about 30,000 properties faced issues.

Pound, who represents Sherwood ward, said: "All we want is a permanent fix, some leadership and accountability."

He said residents were suffering from "uncertainty, safety and noise" and local school pupils at a local school were "in danger" because of tankers parked on the roadside.

Hannah Knowles, principal at Skinners' Kent Academy, said pupils cycled, scootered and walked in the area and disabled people were picked up in taxis where tankers parked.

She said: "We've asked South East Water to refrain from parking during school drop-off and pick-up times, which they agreed to, and did - for a day."

Bell apologised and said: "It is important we continue injecting water into the tank as we continue to balance the network following the recent supply issues in the town.

"Pembury Water Treatment Works, which feeds the Blackhurst storage tank, is running normally.

"We're simply topping up supplies to make sure there is plenty of water in the area whilst the wider network recovers from the issues we have experienced."

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