Ford’s flood gates already vandalised
BLOCKS PUT IN PLACE LAST MONTH TO DETER DRIVERS
DRIVERS have vandalised flood gates weeks after they were put in place to stop motorists getting stranded where a ford crosses a lane.
Leicestershire County Council officials said the gates in Watery Gate Lane, Thurlaston, had been damaged following attempts by motorists trying to drive past the ford.
The gates were installed last month as part of a £65,000 scheme in conjunction with Blaby District Council to deter vehicles from attempting to cross when water levels are too high.
Councillor Trevor Pendleton, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Motorists have been ignoring warning signs and too often try to cross the ford in Watery Gate Lane when the water levels have risen.
This leads to them breaking down and either our highways department or the fire service being called out.
“We were asked to install these gates by rescue teams who are spending an extraordinary amount of their limited budget and precious time removing cars from Watery Gate Lane.
“These gates were installed to ensure motorists’ safety. To already have someone try to use the road when it is dangerous to do so and damage our gate in the process is very frustrating.
“It is incredibly dangerous to attempt to cross floodwater. Even a foot of water can move a car.
“When we close a road, it is closed for a reason. Please find an alternative route.”
A fire service spokesman said: “There had been gates placed either side of the Ford at Watery Gate, and these have already been vandalised and damaged.
“These are to prevent people driving through while it is in flood conditions.
“The gates cost thousands of pounds and it’s disappointing that someone has done this so quickly after they have been installed.”
The flood gates are closed by county council highways’ teams when the ford reaches a water level which is deemed impassable.
The cost of repairing the gates is still being assessed by county council officers and temporary security measures are in place to secure them.