Tis the same the whole world over...
Quote:
Heavy thunderstorms spark calls for improved drain cleaning after rainwater floods streets
Numerous heavy thunderstorms over the weekend have sparked calls for drains to be cleared across the country after rainwater flooded Buckinghamshire streets.
The bank holiday weekend saw stunning lighting storms batter the county – however it appeared the drain systems were unable to cope with the heavy rain.
Bucks county councillor (BCC) for Great Missenden, Peter Martin, claimed storm gullies in Great Missenden have not been cleared in his seven-and-a-half years as councillor and called for action to be taken.
Speaking at a meeting of the environment, transport and communities select committee on Tuesday (May 29) he said:
“We have got a number of gullies and I have lived in Missenden for seven-and-a-half years and they have not been touched in that time.
“Contractors were employed last year but apparently there was a problem with them and they cleared off and the problem was not completed.
“We have got a number of steep hills when it rains heavily the water cascades down them and just makes a bigger problem elsewhere.”
BCC’s cabinet member for transport, Mark Shaw, admitted drain systems across the county struggle to cope with excess water during heavy storms, however he assured councillors the issue is being addressed.
He said: “I have to say we had the gully cleaner out in Chesham last week, especially in Waterside, and after the rains on Saturday it was flooded again and it just can’t cope with the amount of water when rain is as heavy as it was.
“But yes, we are out there literally every day clearing blocked gullies and we will continue to do that and we will make sure Great Missenden has its fair share of that.”
In February BCC councillors agreed to set aside £125,000 to clean gullies which is set to be invested this year, according to head of highways at BCC Mark Averill.
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Bucks Free Press
The tanker which cleared out the surface water drains was a frequent sight during my childhood.
The driver would lift the grating at the edge of the road, pump out the mud and other detritus, then flush the drain with clean water and move on to the next one.
Come to think of it, it provided free entertainment for us kids and could be added to the
'No electricity needed' thread.
I can't remember the last time I saw this essential maintenance take place and this morning had to navigate around a flood at a road junction on my way into town.
Eventually someone will come along and give the drain a desultory prod with a stick, I suppose.