A22 Godstone Road firms 'lose 80% takings' in floods

A scaffolding bridge has been built over the flood water to give residents a walkway

Businesses along a main road from Surrey into south London say trade is down 80% since it was closed by floods.

The A22 Godstone Road through Whyteleafe into Purley has been closed for nearly four weeks since the Caterham Bourne overflowed.

John Painter, director of Wraysbury Tyres, said business had dropped to 20% of normal levels.

Croydon Borough Council said the A22 would reopen in phases, but would not be open fully until mid-March.

A pumping system set up to divert flood water away from Kenley water treatment works is still in place and fields in Woldingham are also being flooded to divert the water.

'Thick sewage'

Residents as well as businesses in Godstone Road have been affected.

Jeanette Collins said her garden had been flooded since 31 January.

"I have had sewage under the house and there is thick sewage everywhere in the garden," she said.

"It is flowing in from the railway and coming in from the other gardens. There is no end in sight at the moment - it is absolutely terrible."

Sir Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, said businesses indirectly hit by the floods would be entitled to Government compensation along with those whose premises were under water.

Sam Gymiah, Conservative MP for East Surrey, said he had discussed with Tandridge District Council making funds available to as wide a group of businesses as possible.

"There is a business support scheme to help with clean-up costs and materials of about £2,500 per business, and there is business rate relief for up to three months " he said.

Elsewhere in Surrey, residents affected by flooding are being offered advice from a specialist flooding charity.

The National Flood Forum is visiting 10 sites in Sunbury, Shepperton, Runnymede, Egham, Chertsey and Stanwell throughout the week.