‘Streets keep flooding due to broken drains’

STREETS around Salford are flooding frequently due to broken drains, a councillor has said, after a report found a repairs backlog.

Robin Garrido, leader of the Conservatives on Salford council, said major work is needed to fix the problem, and accused the Labourrun town hall of letting the drains deteriorate.

Last week, Salford’s deputy mayor Tracy Kelly approved £450,000 of funding towards repair work as part of a highways drainage investment programme.

Of that amount, £50,000 will be spent on maintaining culverted watercourses – artificial channels or pipes that are used to continue a watercourse beneath the ground. Surveys by the council found ‘many defective gullies and connections,’ mostly caused by damaged pipework. A report admitted there is a ‘backlog of repairs’ that needs addressing in order of severity.

Damaged drains which could cause flooding and affect properties are among the criteria for repairs, as well as locations next to well-used footways.

More than 6,000 highway drainage defects have been fixed since 2010, the council said, but Mr Garrido claimed he’s constantly contacted by residents about broken drains and flooding.

He said: “While the money is welcome, it’s too little too late. If you allow things to deteriorate badly, it costs more to repair them. ”

A Salford council spokesperson said: “The works on our highways drainage systems are to ensure that Salford can keep moving”, adding: “Works will take place in each ward in the city in priority order.”

The office of Salford Mayor Paul Dennett was contacted for comment.