Questions asked about gully cleaning

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Sep 2007

The massive storms in June this year caused floods all over the country, including Darlington. With tornadoes also sweeping through England, the effects of climate change are hitting hard.

As well as a warning about climate change, these floods should be a wake-up call to Councils and water authorities to clean gullies and maintain drainage systems. A large part of Cllr Fred Lawton's home was badly flooded on 23rd June. The flood was made a lot worse because a gully in the back lane was blocked and the main drain in the front street had not been cleaned and could not cope.

Fred is asking about the gully cleaning programme in North Road ward, so let him know about any trouble spots.

We will also be asking questions of the Planning Committee. How can more and more buildings be converted into multiple flats without increasing the size of the drainage and sewerage systems?

For example, will the drains from the flats proposed for the Harrowgate Hill Infants School development just be a further burden to the existing drainage system?

What is the safe capacity? Surely there must be a limit. We will find out.