Waltham Forest Council will not yet commit to cleaning street drains more regularly, despite some residents arguing blocked drains made this summer’s […]By Waltham Forest Echo
Plants growing out of a blocked street drain on Milton Road
Waltham Forest Council will not yet commit to cleaning street drains more regularly, despite some residents arguing blocked drains made this summer’s flooding worse
Since then, numerous residents have tweeted photos of blocked street drains – or gullies – to the council, calling on them to clean them more than once or twice a year.
In a recent interview with the Echo, however, newly-elected council leader Grace Williams said the council would only do this if a review into the causes of the flood showed it was needed.
She said: “I know it was frightening for people how quickly it happened and how many places in the borough were flooded. It’s a good example of where climate change is happening now.
“We will do a proper review on that flood and look into the causes. Some of it will be to do with heavy rainfall but, if we do need to change our drain cleaning, then we will.
“But we need to make sure we have a proper process. It would be wrong to pre-empt what will come out of that review.”
Areas of the borough deemed to be at a high risk of flooding have their drains cleaned twice a year, while other drains are cleaned once annually.
Cllr Williams added that she has spoken to “many residents” in Brooke Road, one of the worst hit by the flood, “who said that it was not that the gullies were blocked”.
However, Sue Moore and Dennis Brown of Brooke Road, told the Echo they had noticed the gullies were cleared less regularly, arguing the council “now don’t do it until it’s too late”.
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
Cleaning services can be a great gift. Ordering cleaning as a gift for parents or friends is an expression of care and attention. At https://ukrainecleaners.com/Issaquah/, you can read more. Professional cleanliness, fresh air and shiny surfaces will give a feeling of coziness, which is so often lacking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Our newspaper and website are made possible by the support of readers and by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider helping us to continue to bring you news by disabling your ad blocker or supporting us with a small regular payment.
No news is bad news 
Cleaning services can be a great gift. Ordering cleaning as a gift for parents or friends is an expression of care and attention. At https://ukrainecleaners.com/Issaquah/, you can read more. Professional cleanliness, fresh air and shiny surfaces will give a feeling of coziness, which is so often lacking in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.