Gloucestershire County Council is asking residents and community groups to help keep local drains clear.
The authority has launched a new ‘Leaf It Out’ campaign, encouraging members of the public to help keep their local drains clear of fallen leaves during the autumn and winter months.
Across the county there are nearly 130,000 gullies and kerb weirs. These are being regularly inspected (frequency of inspection is dependent on their risk rating) and cleansed on a routine basis but at this time of year drains can become blocked quickly and repeatedly, so local people, local eyes and local action are invaluable.
To help reduce the risk of flooding in their area, residents can clear the drain(s) directly outside their home, if accessible from the pavement. Ideally, do it on the day you put your garden waste bin out for collection, so you can put what you clear straight into it.
Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flooding, said: “Over the coming weeks, there will be more and more leaves on the ground and there is a likelihood that drains could become plugged by leaves when there is heavy rain.
“During the autumn we very often find the cause of blocked drains is simply leaves lying on top of the grate which stops the water flowing down. If people could help by clearing leaves from drains it would ensure that they are working properly when it rains heavily and enable highways staff to prioritise the most urgent flooding issues.”