A FASTRACK bus ploughs through a massive puddle in this image - water which has been swamping its Dartford route since before Christmas, according to the photographer. 

Jeanette Tobin, 40, walks around a mile to work every week day from her home in Mccudden Road - and she’s having a job to keep her feet dry now the puddle has reached over the pavement next to the Fastrack A route.

The buses have been taking a dip every day since Christmas Eve according to Mrs Tobin, who works as a transport clerk at the Sainsbury’s distribution centre near the purpose-built road.

Regular traffic isn’t allowed along the route which has been so swamped as a result of the recent heavy rain it may have developed its own ecosystem, says Mrs Tobin, who took these pictures on Thursday.

She told News Shopper: "I’ve seen ducks wading in it and you’ll probably get fish in there next.

"It’s got higher and higher and higher. Since the flooding started on Christmas Eve it’s just been getting deeper.

"All anyone’s done is put a few cones out there and not much else.

"I am sure the bus company will want it sorted out because it’s obviously not doing their buses any good.

News Shopper:

Water spills over the pavement with the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in the background (pic by Jeanette Tobin).

"Every time a bus goes through it just pushes more water onto the pathway.

"The water’s got nowhere to drain and I think someone needs to pump it out."

The area near the River Darent suffers from poor drainage, as made clear by the more than three week closure of Bob Dunn Way which only fully reopened to traffic on January 27 having been inundated with flood water.

Linsey Frostick, regional marketing manager for Fastrack operators Arriva, said: “With the very wet weather we have experienced, the road has been flooded for several weeks. 

"We have asked our drivers to pass the area at 5mph and take extreme caution. This has ensured our service to customers is not disrupted. 

"There have been no problems with vehicles reported.”

A Kent County Council spokesman added: "Residents are asked to report highway faults, such as flooding and potholes, online at kent.gov.uk/highways where details can be easily uploaded and locations pinpointed on an interactive map.

"Providing this information has helped speed up the rate of repairs. In the event of an emergency, residents should call 03000 41 81 81."