DRAINS AND GULLIES CLEARED BY ISLAND ROADS AHEAD OF FURTHER ADVERSE WEATHER

More work is being done to unblock drains and gullies ahead of Storm Ciaran following last week’s devastating flooding which affected multiple homes and businesses across the Isle of Wight. The storm is set to move in later tonight (Wednesday) and could see the Island battered with more heavy rain and 85mph winds. After last week’s flooding, some residents have claimed drains with blocked leaves and debris stopped water running into them. The gullies were cleared less than 2 weeks before the flooding hit, Island Roads has said, with those in Ryde done on 13th October and East Cowes on 14th October. Island Roads has stressed, however, that in periods of prolonged, exceptional rainfall, like the Island has been experiencing, and when it coincides with high tides, the drainage system may become overwhelmed and this would occur irrespective of cleaning and sweeping programmes. Councillor Phil Jordan has said that Island Roads ‘stepped up to the plate’ and done all that has been asked of them. He’s said in severe occurrences the drains and gullies could be blocked by the detritus that had been carried in the water so it was enormously difficult to try to keep them clear. Ahead of Storm Ciaran, workers from Island Roads have cleaned gullies in the hotspot areas of East Cowes, Ryde and Binstead. As the authority in charge of cleaning the drain and gully network, Island Roads district stewards also inspect drains and gullies as part of their duties, while taking action when they receive reports from members of the public. Under the Highways PFI Contract, the majority of gullies are cleaned annually, Island Roads said, and between October and March, it undertakes a monthly programme of additional cleaning in areas known to be prone to flooding or blockages. It also increases the street sweeping it does at this time of year when trees shed their leaves. Island Roads has said it is not responsible for flooding off the highway but to maintain a safe and accessible highway network. As well as Island Roads, a band of ‘heroic’ volunteers have been unblocking drains across the Island to prevent standing water from growing and more residences being flooded.