Blocked drains caused by untimely grass cutting has once again been impacting the business owners and residents of Scotgate and Casterton Road in Stamford.

This comes after, last week, Lincolnshire County Council pledged to take action with regards to the ongoing issue.

The Stamford road and retail location experienced severe flooding in June as heavy rain feel amid a dry spell.

As a result, business owners in the area experienced damage to shops and shopfronts, with the floods leaving debris on the pavements and premises at risk of water damage.

Flood water on Scotgate in June. Image credit: Ian Jarvis.

A business owner located on Scotgate said: "Several Properties and shops flooded or came very close during the storms and heavy down pours".

He alleges that this is "due to the amount of debris (grass cuttings) left by the council after leaving the grass verges uncut for over a month then cutting as normal and leaving all the waste material. This has been the cause of all the drains along Casterton road and Scotgate to block causing flooding and extreme mess to the pavements and roads outside various shops and premises...

"The Council have caused absolute chaos by allowing the grass verges to grow as high as they did, I am all for promoting wildlife if this was indeed the reason for leaving the verges to grow for over a month but then to just cut them without clearing away the mess it was irresponsible."

A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said: "Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for the drain management and the original flooding was due to Stamford Town Council grass cutting following No Mow May."

Local people have shared their furstration with the ongoing issue. Image credit: Ian Jarvis.

While Lincolnshire County Council say that they have sprayed the drains, Ian Jarvis is not satisfied with the ongoing issues. He added: "As expected, the grass has been cut again this week. Heavy rain has meant that all of the drains are blocked along Casterton road and now all down Scotgate once more."

A LCC spokesperson said: "We have a works schedule in the coming weeks that will see our drain jetting team check the whole area around Scotgate and clear out blockages, as well as digging out any silt build-ups to ensure that water can flow into the drains properly. 

"We will target any issues and ensure that drains and gullies get the clearing work as necessary. In terms of getting clear access to the roads affected in need of drain cleaning, we will give clear notification of our works programme on site so that vehicles can hopefully leave us the necessary room to do the job."