that hits the Island -- and with good reason.

The southern end of the road slopes downward from both directions towards Mr.

and Mrs. Allan Wingood's property.

And as such the Wingoods' tenant, Pembroke Paint Company, is left with "a lake'' of water up to 18 inches deep at their doorstep after every heavy rainfall.

"The area is completely lacking a proper drainage system,'' said Mrs. Wingood after last Friday's torrential rain once again flooded the lane.

"The main problem is that our neighbours to the north and south allow the water to run off their property straight into the sunken area.'' The Wingoods believe that since the Planning Department gave the surrounding properties permission to construct their buildings, they should force each of them to at least build a bore hole to help alleviate the problem.

But as Bakery Lane, which connects Serpentine Road with St. John's Road, is private, the couple have been told Government is not responsible.

"They have been sympathetic though,'' Mrs. Wingood said, adding that Government assisted with their own attempts to drain the water.

The Wingoods have already spent several thousand dollars on a pump and a bore hole, but they said heavy rains quickly overwhelm the system.

Although some neighbours have installed drainage holes where water is supposed to seep into the soft ground, the lake continues to reappear.

Mr. Wingood explained that the entire area was marshy, with a 50-foot layer of peat, and has always had problems.

While The Royal Gazette was at the site on Friday, at least a dozen motorists driving onto Bakery Lane took one look at the muddy pool and turned around.

Those who dared to venture into the water found themselves up to their grills.

"I've thought about getting a canoe,'' quipped Mr. Wingood.

UNDER WATER -- A van slowly makes its way to Pembroke Paint Company's door on Bakery Lane in Pembroke after Friday morning's torrential downpour. Owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Allan Wingood, are hoping a solution can be found to the chronic drainage problem in the area.