Reader's Letter: Knaresborough’s blocked drain woes continue

This letter was sent to us by a reader this week. Few issues raise our readers' blood pressure as much as blocked drains. 

Like many other letters we receive, this one expresses concern about Knaresborough's drainage infrastructure – especially following the extreme flooding in the town in May.

Dear all,

Prior to the recent ‘Great Flood of Knaresborough', I was walking up the High Street from Bond End, as part of my regular Sunday walk.

At the time, I happened to notice that one of the drains was absolutely and completely choked with soil and other debris. Then, I noticed that the next two drains were in almost – though not quite – the same poor condition.

Using the evidence of my own eyes, together with the voice of reason, I am afraid I find it beyond belief that reports from the council state that these blocked drains played no part in the floods.

If water is not diverted, it will always follow the path of least resistance, as indeed happened on that particular day.

A once in a lifetime occurrence that deluge might have been, but can reasonable people really be expected to accept such insulting twaddle?

Instead of being proactive, it appears that the accepted course of action is now to wait until there is an issue, and then react to it.

Unfortunately, there seems to be little sign of public services prioritising ‘preventative maintenance’.

Yours faithfully, 

Colin Harrison, Knaresborough

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