Staffordshire Flooding Blamed on Blocked Drains, Council Faces Criticism

A local councilor wants action on flooding. Alec Sandiford wants better drain maintenance. He says rural areas need help, and drains and grids must stay clear. Barlaston and Fulford residents are affected, as are those in Meir Heath, Rough Close, and Saverley Green. Blocked drains cause repeated flooding.

Sandiford urges residents to report problems using the county council’s reporting system. He argues that blocked drains cause avoidable flooding, making it a persistent problem for residents. He emphasizes that maintenance is the council’s job, and that neglect hurts roads and property, also risking community safety.

Drain clearing isn’t optional, he argues, but essential for the community. Proper drain care reduces flood risk and protects communities in the area. This also saves taxpayer money over time, as was evident when roads flooded in early January.

Ian Parry spoke about the heavy rainfall and how winter rain caused significant flooding. He stated that climate change somehow made flooding worse, while maintenance backlogs also contributed. Most flooded areas are being checked and workers have started to fix the problems, he claims. More work is definitely needed and is being planned.

The council has increased maintenance spending and teams are working to get ahead of the floods. Parry asks for patience while they work, acknowledging this is a significant environmental challenge. Mark Deaville spoke about the road network, noting that Staffordshire has over 6,000km of roads.

The council invests an extra £45m to help maintain and upkeep the roads. They cleared over 53,000 gullies recently, cleaning 8,000 monthly in the summer, compared to only 4,000 the prior year. A fifth more gullies got cleared in total, and work continues, as they recognize its importance. Sudden rain can wash debris onto roads, so Deaville asks people to report problems.