There are some 61,000 road gullies (grids) in the borough's highways that carry surface water to the drains below. Most gullies are situated in the carriageway against the kerb edge. You may also see some gullies in certain pavements.
Road and pavement gullies are cleaned out on an eight monthly cycle. Gullies in adopted back streets are cleaned out annually. Those on the A580 East Lancashire Road are cleaned out twice a year.
In addition to this regular cleaning programme, the council will attend to any reports of blocked gullies to investigate the problem and take remedial action to restore them.
Sometimes the gully may appear to be blocked, but the problem could be with the drain into which the gully is connected. Gullies are usually connected to sewers, which are the responsibility of United Utilities (external link), or highway drains that belong to the council. Should these sewers or drains become blocked, or in times of heavy storms become overfull, the gully will appear to be blocked.
If a United Utilities' foul sewer becomes blocked or overfull, sewage could come from it. United Utilities are responsible for clearing any blockage, and in both cases cleaning the resultant sewage up.
The council is also responsible for maintaining culverted watercourses that run under the adopted highway. These were once ditches that have been piped to allow the highway to be built over them.
Should you notice a blocked gully or any area of flooding on the highway please contact us
