A man who says he lives in Britain's 'most hit home' is pushing for a ban on heavy lorries through his village after his cottage was hit for the eighth time in a year.
Mark Kilbey, 57, says he now lives in constant fear of trucks whacking into his 16th century home as they take a turn where his house sits.
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The latest incident happened just three hours after workmen had been out to finish some repairs from a previous hit the home took.
Mark, who lives in Wingham in Kent, said: "The builders finished at 5pm and the house was struck again at 8.30pm. It's a new record.
"I jokingly told the builders to leave the ladders at the side of the house because they'd be back in a few weeks. It turns out it was only a few hours. It took the biscuit."
He added: "I bought the house in 2015 knowing it had been hit before, but I had no idea it would become this bad. I reckon it's been hit at least 20 times."
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Insurance companies representing the trucks and lorries have handed out around £60,000 in house repairs in five years.
Mark says the only way to stop it happening is for the biggest lorries to take alternative routes.
"My home has been dubbed the most-hit house in the country," he said. "And I challenge anyone to find one which has suffered like mine. I expected to be living in a rural village, not an industrial park."
Mark says he's had numerous conversations with local authorities but that his complaints have never resulted in any action.
He said: "I've got nowhere with them. They just say they are monitoring the situation, but I think they just consider my property is expendable.
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"If it happened once, you would say that it was an incompetent driver, but if it happens 20 times and no action is taken you just think people don't care. The bottom line is that I don't really matter in the eyes of those who are responsible for my safety. They are completely negligent."
He added: "I didn't know the severity of the problem when I bought it and traffic has gotten heavier in the last few years. If the council were genuinely monitoring the issue, they would know that - and act."
A Kent County Council spokesman said: "We very much sympathise with Mr Kilbey but unfortunately this is difficult for KCC to resolve as a highways authority.
"In 2018, KCC looked to identify the destinations of the offending vehicles and the HGVs involved were not just driving through the village, these are vehicles making legitimate deliveries to or collections from local businesses.
"Whilst the majority of HGVs using this junction do so without incident, we acknowledge that the errant few are misjudging the turning and causing damage to property and distress to residents.
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"There is no possibility of altering the road layout and we have discussed with businesses about re-routing their vehicles where possible.
"The businesses all use an informal one-way system where they enter Staple Road from the B2046 and leave via two other country lanes."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: UK News