Today Councillor Sara Armstrong (East Cliff & Springbourne) was delighted to meet Chris and Danny from BCP Council Highways for an update on the damaged drain in Grants Avenue. This first came to light last year as a direct result of residents and Sara as their councillor, lobbying officers to get the drain investigated and repaired. During this it came to light that a utility company had damaged the infrastructure and not reported it.
For over a decade residents have had their gardens and pathways flooded and inaccessible during storms and heavy rainfall as the drain flooded across the street.
Today the extent of the damage was exposed – actually it had been covered by a plant pot and concreted in by a communications company, all those years ago.
Sara Armstrong commented: “They should be named and shamed in my opinion, as well as stumping up compensation for residents and the Council.
“The utility company have been out today and agreed to reimburse the Council for repair. BCP staff are undertaking the repair.
“This drain will finally be running smoothly, with residents able to access their gardens during heavy rainfall without the need for wellies for the first time in years!
“I have subsequently written to officers and the portfolio lead for Planning & Transport to request that the council tightens up its contractual relationships with utility companies and actively seeks reimbursement for the cost of repairs.
“Estimation of the cost of today’s work alone is in the region of £5k plus.
“Thank you to Chris and Danny for all your hard work 
“