Article in Newark Advertiser – 23rd September 2024
Concerns over flooding and community spirit were raised as residents continued to throw dog poo bags into drains after 50 bags were removed.
A resident of Bramley Close, Southwell, who doesn’t want to be named, reported a blocked drain to the local authorities in July this year, however, he got no response.
He posted his concerns on the Southwell Flood Forum group, where people took action and a VIA team from Nottinghamshire County Council “finally cleared the drain”.
“I believe it was 50 dog poo bags out of one on the drains not 150 but enough to cause a backlog and block the drain,” said the resident.
Initially, the resident contacted various parties due to a damp issue in his house and after adding a French drain to the exterior of his property, that he noticed the drains were blocked.
The VIA team cleared 50 dog poo bags out of the drain about six to seven weeks ago, but residents continued to throw the dogs’ defecation on the drain.
The resident who initially reported the situation had to open the drain himself and remove the poo bags even after the drains were cleared and promised to keep on top of the situation.
Despite his efforts, concerns about flooding were raised as we approach the colder and rainier weather as last October storm Babet caused severe flooding across the district and the scenario repeated itself with storm Henk in January.
The resident added: “This kind of stuff impacts the floods in Southwell, I am very angry that someone thought it was a good idea to throw poo bags down the drain especially as it had only just been cleared.
“I think the main issue around Southwell is that the kerbs need sweeping on a regular basis.
“I cleared them outside our house, doing my bit for the community, and filled a large builders bucket with muck, weeds, etc.
“When we have floods this only gets washed down the drains hence blockages, I am not a drainage engineer but I’d have thought clearing this before the rains come we be helpful.”
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We were disappointed to hear about the drainage problems on the footpath near Bramley Close, Southwell, where bags of dog waste placed down a drain had caused a blockage.
“The drains in question are on situated on private land and not the public highway. However, as a gesture of goodwill, Via cleaned the drain in this instance as we could not identify a landowner who would be required to do so.
“Whilst these blocked gullies have no direct bearing on historical flooding in Southwell, blockages can impact those living in the vicinity. We ask residents to be considerate and not to discard litter and waste items in drains, as they not only cause blockages but can also pollute waterways and impact wildlife and water quality.”
The county council has urged residents to report the dog fouling problem to Newark and Sherwood Distirct Council and to request that a dog waste bin be installed near the site.
Jacky Huson of Southwell Flood Forum said that two messages should be passed on following the situation.
One being that dog owners should be responsible and throw the dog poo bags in the respective bins and for people to clear the leaves on the drains and outside their houses as we enter autumn.
She said: “I can understand the resident’s particular concerns but this is more than just a flooding problem, it is about the dog owners being responsible and the leaves beginning to fall and the district council sending their leaf cleaners weekly.”
