THE underpass at Purley Cross – Croydon's busiest junction – will be deliberately flooded in a bid to keep water away from local homes and businesses.
Croydon Council announced on Saturday night that it had taken the extreme measure, with more heavy rain forecast going into Sunday.
A council statement said: "As the situation in the area continues to deteriorate, and with more heavy rain forecast, a decision has been made to pump excess water away from the worst affected areas and into the Purley Cross gyratory pedestrianunderpass.
"This action is being taken in a bid to protect around 400 homes and businesses and to keep the Kenley water treatment works from being flooded by surging water."
The subway will, in effect, act as a 'pond' to contain water which is currently overflowing onto the Brighton Road.
The decision was made by the major incident "gold command" team, comprising representatives of the council, the Environment Agency, emergency services, neighbouring authorities, Thames Water and TfL.
Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher said: "This has not been an easy decision to take but it has become increasingly clear over the past few hours that we have no alternative if we are to protect people's homes and businesses from being flooded."
Since the council declared the situation in parts of the south of the borough as a "major incident" on Thursday night, around 1,500 letters have been delivered to residents in Kenley and Purley, warning them about the potential dangers of flooding.
The usually busy A22 between Purley Cross and Whyteleafe has been closed since Thursday, while the Red Cross has been put on standby, in case the situation deteriorates further.
