Streets around Salford are “flooding frequently” due to broken drains, a councillor has said, after a report found there is a backlog of repairs. Robin Garrido – leader of the Conservatives on Salford council – said major work is needed to fix the problem, and accused the Labour-run town hall of letting the drains deteriorate. On Monday, Salford’s deputy mayor Tracy Kelly approved £450,000 of funding towards repair work as part of a highways drainage investment programme. £50,000 of that amount will be spent on maintaining culverted watercourses – artificial channels or pipes that are used to continue a watercourse beneath the ground. Surveys by the council found ‘many defective gullies and connections’, mostly caused by damaged pipework. A report admitted there is a ‘backlog of repairs’ that needs addressing in order of severity. Damaged drains which could cause flooding and affect properties are among the criteria for repairs, as well as locations next to well-used footways. More than 6,000 highway drainage defects have been fixed since 2010, the council said, but Mr Garrido claimed he’s constantly getting calls and emails from Salford residents about broken drains and flooding. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s a disgrace that Salford has let the drains get in such a state. “These have been deteriorating for a number of years, some areas have suffered from flooding frequently. While the money is welcome, it’s too little too late. “If you allow things to deteriorate badly, it costs more to repair them. I feel there have been wasted opportunities here.” He said that roads where the drains are causing problems for residents include Worsley Road and Barton Road in Worsley, and Worsley Road in Winton. Coun Bob Clarke said Linkfield Drive in Boothstown is another area which is regularly flooded due to drain problems. Salford council has identified 32 highway drain repairs across Worsley and Westwood Park, and Boothstown and Ellenbrook this year. This is part of a total of 184 repairs taking place around the city under the new work programme. A Salford council spokesperson said: “The works on our highways drainage systems are to ensure that Salford can keep moving. “Investigations of the highways drainage system has identified where works need to take place to fix defective gullies and connections and to provide flood alleviation work on the network for the financial year ahead. “Works will take place in each ward in the city in priority order. “The criteria used to prioritise the jobs is where flooding affects or is likely to affect a property, near well used footways, where standing water is at critical turning or braking points and where flooding is frequent and has been persistent for some time.” The office of Salford Mayor Paul Dennett was contacted for comment.
