Council wants help to keep gullies clear

Report blocked gullies so they can be cleaned

With autumn leaf fall fast approaching, Rochdale Borough Council is asking residents to report blocked gullies so they can be cleaned (gullies are the square grates found at the side of a road).

From this month, council crews will be clearing leaves - aiming to stop pavements and roads becoming slippery and messy and to prevent road gullies becoming blocked. Although there is a programme of work, reports from local residents are very useful and they help the council prioritise the cleaning and lower the number that get missed.

Drainage gullies and drains can become blocked very quickly when materials like mud or stones are carried on to roads during heavy rain or flooding. This can also happen when there is a heavy fall of leaves.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “Every one of the council’s gullies are cleaned at least once a year but reports from our residents are really useful to ensure we prioritise any blocked ones. It does not mean we can avoid flooding, but when the combination of autumn leaf fall and heavy rain does occur, clean and well maintained gullies help to ensure the drainage is working as effectively as possible.”

Any gullies on the public highway that need cleaning or are blocked should be reported. Once reported, the gully will be added to a prioritised work list and will be attended to.

www.rochdale.gov.uk/highways

0300 303 8879