Blocked drains concern in Scunthorpe town centre
Concerns have been raised
Concern has been raised over blocked and obstructed drains in Scunthorpe town centre and the potential for localised flooding. Town Ward councillors Lorraine Yeadon and Mashook Ali (Labour) highlighted the issue before recent dry conditions came to an end.
“If they are left untreated, there is a real risk that surface water flooding will become a problem again,” warned Cllr Yeadon. North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds) has said not all of the drains belong to the council and weedkiller used is not as strong as it used to be.
The Town Ward councillors noted residents reported flooding earlier this year in West Street, Frodingham Road and Wells Street, “where blocked drains were believed to have been a contributing factor”. On a recent ward walkabout, the duo had concerns raised with them about drainage on Percival Street, where standing water frequently collects on roads and footpaths.
Cllr Ali said: “The drains appeared heavily silted and blocked, with debris reaching road level. In their current condition, it is difficult to see how they could cope with heavy rainfall.”
Additional reports of blocked drains and flooding concerns have been received from residents in the Home Zone area, particularly Teale Street and Porter Street, as well as Scotter Road, Doncaster Road, Highfield Avenue and parts of Church Lane. The councillors said they have been advised that ten foots are cleared weekly and street sweeping takes place on a 12-week cycle, where operationally possible.
They have suggested, if that is the case, it has perhaps not been operationally possible often enough, given residents’ reports of silted and blocked drains. “We appreciate the work carried out by council staff, but residents continue to report blocked drains throughout Town Ward,” stated Cllrs Ali and Yeadon.
“We are urging the relevant authorities to inspect affected areas and arrange for blocked drains to be cleared before wetter weather arrives. Taking action now could help prevent avoidable flooding and disruption for residents, pedestrians and motorists.”
‘A lot of drains don’t belong to the council’
“A lot of these drains don’t belong to the council,” said Cllr Waltham. He estimated only half of the drains the public sees in the council area and the gullys on highways are actually owned by the council.
“We have a routine for gully cleaning,” he added though, before suggesting weaker strength weedkiller is a factor. “We use a weedkiller. Clearly, it’s not as strong as it probably would have been five years ago because we’re not able to higher strength weedkiller so that means weeds stay for longer.”
Cllr Waltham also criticised the Town Ward councillors. He said it was “lazy casework going to the media” and stated in his ward he tries to find out the ownership of the drains first, in response to ones raised by residents.
Given opportunity for reply, Cllrs Ali and Yeadon responded: “We think it would be appreciated by residents if the gully cleaning programme was made public so that residents could see when the gullies near them were last cleaned and when they are likely to be cleaned again. Also, residents may be interested in knowing which gullies are the council’s responsibility.”