Oxfordshire County Council has made significant progress in its ambitious plan to clean every highway drainage gully in the county within a single year, with nearly 70,000 already cleared since April.
The enhanced programme, launched earlier this year, aims to clean around 145,000 gullies and manholes by March 2026 as part of a major investment in improving the region’s drainage infrastructure.
The £2.6 million programme follows an additional £1.5 million allocation approved in the 2025–26 budget to strengthen drainage resilience after last year’s severe flooding.
The council’s highways contractor, M Group, and specialist operator Drainline are delivering the work, which has doubled operational capacity by increasing the number of drainage crews from six to twelve. Two shift patterns now maximise productivity and take advantage of quieter evening roads where possible.
Gullies are being emptied using suction hoses to remove accumulated silt before being flushed with high-pressure water jets. In some heavily impacted locations, manual excavation has been required to remove deep blockages. Until this year, the county operated a four-year cleaning cycle, with high-priority drains receiving more frequent attention. The new programme promises a much more comprehensive and proactive approach.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said the increased investment was essential: “We recognised the need to improve drainage, especially following the flooding in the county last year caused by exceptionally wet weather. I’m pleased that, with the additional crews, we are on schedule to complete this ambitious drainage improvement programme.”
Improved drainage not only helps reduce surface water and flood risk but also protects roads by preventing water from freezing, which can accelerate pothole formation.
However, the council stresses that no drainage system can fully cope with extreme weather events such as the September 2024 storm, when a month’s worth of rain fell in just 36 hours.
Access issues remain a challenge, with around 2,500 gullies unable to be cleaned so far due to parked vehicles. Motorists are urged to look out for signage and avoid blocking drain covers.
Richard Lovewell, Business Director at M Group, praised recent progress: “In October alone, 17,000 drains were cleansed. We’re proud to be working with Oxfordshire County Council and Drainline to deliver this vital programme.”
All drainage tankers are equipped with advanced asset-management technology to log progress, record inaccessible or damaged drains, and support efficient planning and repairs. A full countywide schedule is available on the council’s website, and residents can report issues through the Fix My Street portal.
