Drain blocked in Ulverston for so long resident plants them

The act in Ulverston was given the title by Archie Workman, a lengthsman and 'celebrity drainspotter' who has become known for his work cleaning up streets in the region, and has even featured in a documentary. 

He shared photos of the plants which were in a drain on Victoria Road outside St Mary's Catholic Centre on July 9. 

Someone has been doing some guerilla gardening in #Ulverston highlighting the excessive amount on blocked drains in the Town pic.twitter.com/MNtqQtZnR6

— Archie Workman (@TheLengthsman) July 9, 2024

He said that the rain washed them away shortly after. 

"It's obviously somebody who is very fed up with the drains in that state," he added.  

About the council, he said: "I'm amazed that the town doesn't have a lengthsman."

He said Westmorland and Furness Council workers instead use gully suckers.

He said that the public have to report blocked drains to the council for it to be fixed: "I think that's totally wrong - they should be out in their van - quite said really."

Planters in the drain outside the Catholic Church (Image: Archie Workman)

He said there should be 'a little pride' in the town, claiming that some of the drains have been blocked for a year. If a vehicle parks on a double yellow line and obstructs the drain, the council then cannot clear it, he said. 

Archie added that the drains being left blocked increases the chances of flooding, and that material ends up buried in the pipes which can be pushed down when the council come to eventually remove it from the drain with the suckers.

The rain quickly washed the plants away (Image: Archie Workman)

 A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “Highways crews visited Victoria Road, Ulverston as a part of our proactive, routine gully cleansing programme that we conduct throughout the year to ensure areas particularly prone to flooding are maintained.

“We successfully inspected and cleared all drains on this route, except for those that were obstructed by parked cars.

The council uses gully suckers to remove the drains when they are notified of the blockages, Archie said (Image: Archie Workman)

“As we are responsible for over 72,000 drains across Westmorland and Furness, it important for residents to report issues following via our highways online reporting form or Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3306.

“We respond to such reports when resource allows, by sending a team to the location to assess the problem and undertake necessary repair work efficiently.”