Blocked Drains and Gullies: "Council Must Do Better"

2.16.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 16th Jul 2007

Manchester Council is Failing to Unblock the City's Drains Regularly

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Chorlton, Paul Ankers, has spoken out to demand action to prevent flooding of Manchester's roads and pavements after rainfall. Heavy rain in recent weeks has resulted in huge puddles forming in the roads and even across pavements all over Manchester. This is caused mainly by blocked drain grids.

At Wednesday's Council meeting, Councillor Ankers challenged the Labour Councillor in charge of the environment to improve the Council's performance in keeping the City's drains running free.

In answer to Councillor Ankers' question, the Labour executive member admitted that Manchester's drains are only jetted every 16 months!

Speaking afterwards, Chorlton Councillor Paul Ankers said:

"Given the widespread problem of blocked drains in Manchester, I am amazed that the Council only jets them every 16 months! It is no wonder the roads and pavements in areas such as Chorlton resemble duck ponds every time it rains. I challenged Labour's executive Councillor to increase the frequency of routine jetting to at least once every 12 months, as a minimum. However, he would not guarantee this."

"I will continue to press the Council on this issue, so that Manchester's residents can venture out after it has been raining without having to dodge splashing water from passing cars."

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