Bizarre items that block our drains...
Drains are being blocked across the county by strange objects GOLF CLUBS, WALLETS, NUMBER PLATES FOUND
It will see us identify and tackle hotspots that need cleaning more frequently Coun Blake Pain
DRAINS in the county are being blocked by a bizarre range of items ranging from cricket bats to wallets and number plates.
Leicestershire County Council has revealed some of the things that are finding their way down the drains running along the side of roads.
Other items on the list include golf clubs, a black bag full of underwear, keys and other sports kit including badminton and tennis equipment.
The list was revealed as the county unveils its new plans to inspect drains more frequently, which it said would be possible without any further expense.
Currently, the roads maintenance team inspect about 64,000 drains every year to ensure they are all checked at least every couple of years.
But now drains are being made a higher priority for the road teams and the county council will be carrying out 43 per cent more inspections, checking 92,000 drains a year.
While the work will probably lead to council workers fishing out more random items, the main aim is to check that the drains are not filling up with silt, which increases the risk of flooding during heavy rain.
Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We are looking to introduce a targeted approach to cleaning out the drains, which will see us clean an extra 43 per cent of drains.
“It will also see us identify and tackle hotspots that need cleaning more frequently – whether they are blocked with silt or some of the more unusual items.”
The changes are part of the council’s new highways asset management plan and will be rolled out across the county from early next year.
The council’s environment and transport scrutiny committee will meet on Thursday, to discuss the plans.
The meetings will be webcast, live, at the address below, with a recording available from the following day.