It could take nearly a year for blocked drains to be cleared despite calls for them to be gutted to prevent flooding.

Councillor Dawn Allen-Williamson said "that is not good enough" after raising the issues on Regent Street and Balmoral Road in Watford with the county council.

She said: “When I sent the request to have them cleared, I was told the one in Regent Street might not be done until October 2023.

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“That is not good enough. It needs urgent attention. When the drain is blocked it causes flooding on the road.”

Hertfordshire County Council said both roads have been added to its Gully Dig Out programme – where the drains will be dug out by hand.

Both are scheduled to have their next cyclical clean between October and December 2023, which the council said is in line with its published standards.

Watford Observer: When the Regent Street drain is blocked, flooding is caused.When the Regent Street drain is blocked, flooding is caused. (Image: Cllr Dawn Allen-Williamson)

They added: “We have experienced exceptional levels of rain intensity in the last few weeks which has caused flooding in some areas.

“In many cases these floods subside when the rain stops, albeit slowly in some areas.

“The county council prioritises properties affected by flooding and impassable roads and pavements, but immediate action is only mitigation and rarely solves the root problem.

“These areas are then assessed for action which can be via the Gully Dig Out programme or the Vactor programme (which jets the actual drainage pipes beneath the road surface).”

Watford Observer: Cllr Allen-Williamson says she saw the blocked drain in Balmoral Road when she was out checking her ward.Cllr Allen-Williamson says she saw the blocked drain in Balmoral Road when she was out checking her ward. (Image: Cllr Dawn Allen-Williamson)

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