A lot of attention has understandably been focussed on flood defence works during the recent periods of poor weather.
Flood barriers, and countering river overflows, are principally the responsibility of the Environment Agency.
Most of the pipes that drain surface water belong to Yorkshire Water although the Council is responsible for roadside gulleys.
The, then LibDem led, Council in 2008 introduced a programme of upgrade works aimed at dealing with ponding on roads, footpaths and public areas. Over £800,000 has been spent tackling these issues, but there is evidence that a large number of pipes and culverts are still blocked with silt and roots.
Now a new “surface water management” report suggests that a further £5 million is needed to complete the programme.
Worryingly the Council report reveals that recently “ funding for maintenance of highway infrastructure, in particular gully cleaning, has been reduced annually over successive years to a point where it is now mainly a reactive operation. Such routine gully emptying that is carried out is generally not in the areas that suffer surface water flooding”.
With the Council sinking ever deeper into debt, funding this level of investment with be problematic.
The report can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Drainage-in-York. It is due to be discussed at a meeting taking place on Tuesday