Dear resident

Hildenborough Crescent sink hole / void

We fully appreciate both your frustration and real concerns over the reappearance once again of the ‘sink hole’ in Hildenborough Crescent. We met with a KCC engineer on site whilst undertaking their investigations and since then we have been pressing your concerns and frustrations to KCC officers on a regular basis and this is the KCC’s most recent response:

“At this moment in time, it is difficult to comment on the responsibility of the void repair conclusively due to legal discussions ongoing between South East Water and Kent County Council solicitors.

I can state that we believe our legal position to be strong, with our view being the incident is unlikely to have occurred without the failure of the South East Water asset. We are continuing to take this stance, particularly as this situation may well result in a costly repair to the highway which we do not feel taxpayers should fund.

Regarding the excavation and reinstatement works that lie ahead, you are correct in your understanding that this has the potential to be a complex repair. There will be a need for deeper excavation and possible ground stabilisation works to minimise the likelihood of a repeat event.

Please let me finish by acknowledging the delay in visible, on-site progress. We are very much aware of the sense of frustration which can build due to these delays but are in an unfortunate position where legal processes do not necessarily align with the speed we desire. We are continuing to press our legal representatives, with the requirement that an agreement on responsibility be reached soon between KCC and SEW solicitors.”

I can assure you that we continually will do all that we can to press for an early resolution of the legal discussions and then ensure that the repair work is started as soon as possible.

I regret that at this stage I am not prepared to speculate on the time frame for this repair.

Tree trimming and possible removal of one tree

In anticipation of a double decker bus accessing Hildenborough Crescent the work to trim back the branches has or will be done shortly.

I understand also regrettably one of these trees may have to be taken down since it is causing problems with water supply pipework. There is an agreement however that it will be replaced by five new trees paid for by South East Water.

Please get in contact if you wish to discuss this or other issues.

Best wishes

Cllr Chris Passmore – chris.passmore@kent.gov.uk – 07808911612

Cllr Cynthia Robertson - cynthiarobertson@maidstone.gov.uk – 01622 753517

Cllr Tom Wilkinson – tomwilkinson@maidstone.gov.uk – 07701 352226