THIS picture shows the latest situation on the A22 at Whyteleafe which is under threat from flooding from a bourne which rises during times of extreme rainfall.
The photograph was taken this afternoon (Thursday, February 6) by Warren Gilbert, joint owner of the printing firm, Litho Techniques, in Godstone Road.
He and his staff are keeping a vigil to make sure floodwater does not enter their premises, but over the road gardens and basements are flooded as the waters rise.
Mr Gilbert said: "I can't understand why they haven't shut the road." But it seems motorists are choosing to ignore the signs and risk going through the deep flood water, causing waves which threaten businesses along the road.
Lorries coming from Kenley are causing chaos by trying to turn round at the BP petrol station and return back to Purley. A German lorry got into difficulties reversing in a bid to do a U-turn.
One local man said: "It is absolute chaos. No one knows if the road is shut or not. Residents seem to have taken control to try and restore some sort of order. I haven't seen any police or Environment Agency people and the two people in fluorescent jackets trying to help turned out to be cleaners from the petrol station. A couple of Surrey Highways chaps turned up with two cones later. There was a wheelie bin floating down the road and water pouring like a river off the railway. I wouldn't be surprised if the line will have to be shut."
The 407 bus has been diverted
Yesterday, pupils of Whyteleafe School and Roke primary school, Kenley, were affected by the floods. Roke's were sent home early. Water got into the hall at Whyteleafe School.
People in Whyteleafe, Kenley and Pulrey are fearful that with more heavy rain falling this afternoon, there will soon be scenes like those in the winter of 2000-1 when properties along the road were under water for weeks.
