Call for Ealing Council to Take Action on Clearing Leaves

Lib Dem leader blames blocked drains and gullies for recent flooding

Flooding earlier this month in Acton. Picture: Gary Malcolm

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Ealing Council has written an open letter to the cabinet member responsible for roads asking for action on unswept leaves.

Cllr Gary Malcolm has told Cllr Deirdre Costigan that he believes that the recent flooding seen across the borough after heavy rain earlier in the month was exacerbated by gullies and drains being blocked.

He wrote, “I have visited a number of areas including Southall, Acton, Chiswick and Ealing where flooding meant a number of shops were not accessible or routes by public transport were shut off.

“Some residents and business owners and myself, reported blocked drains and gullies on Council roads as well as some actually clearing leaves that were blocking gullies.

“We also have seen an excess of leaves on our pavements. When the icy weather hits it will mean that some residents will fall, injuring themselves.”

He went on to demand immediate action to inspect and clear where needed all council gullies and drains as well as quickly clearing all leaves on pavements to reduce the chance of future flooding and trip hazards.

The council issued a response saying, “Highway gullies drain surface water runoff from roads and pavements into the Thames Water’s main sewers under the ground, however in rainstorm events the capacity of the main sewer network is often unable to cope with such intensities and/or prolonged period of rainfall. This can cause surface water to pool on the surface as the drainage system is backing up through the gullies from the Thames Water’s main sewers, but that does not necessarily mean that the gullies and/or sewers are blocked. Therefore, normally we suggest that at least three hours is allowed for the water to dissipate before action is taken.

“All the gullies in the borough are inspected regularly as part of the Periodic Highway Safety Inspection Regime. Highways are aware of areas susceptible to flash flooding and adopt a proactive approach of gulley cleansing in these areas annually in the summer. Highways inspectors continue to monitor these locations and arrange for further cleaning as and when necessary.”

Neighbouring Hounslow Council claimed after flooding in its borough that the situation is also being made worse by a heavier leaf fall than usual due to heavy rain and high winds. Due to the dry summer, trees shut down their growth but resumed later in the year as sunny weather continued and these re-grown leaves fell quickly when the winds picked up.

November 10, 2022