Keeping North Wales Roads Safe with Gully Cleaning and Flood Prevention
Challenge: Flood Prevention with Regular Gully Cleaning Services
The local council required a trusted drainage maintenance partner capable of delivering regular highway gully cleaning across its extensive road network. The primary challenge was twofold:
- Operational Reliability — ensuring gullies, catch pits, slot channels, and kerb drainage systems were regularly and effectively cleaned to prevent blockages and surface flooding.
- Data-Driven Asset Management — capturing accurate on-site data to provide visibility of drainage asset condition, performance, and maintenance history for better-informed decision-making.
The council sought a contractor that could not only complete the cyclical maintenance works efficiently but also provide detailed reporting and live data updates to support asset management and long-term planning.
Overview of Work: Comprehensive Gully Cleaning for Flood Prevention
Metro Rod Deeside was appointed to carry out cyclic cleaning and maintenance of highway drainage assets throughout North Wales. The works covered:
- Regular cleaning of highway gullies, catch pits, slot channels, and kerb drainage.
- Removal of silt, debris, and waste material to restore hydraulic efficiency.
- Detailed data capture for each gully, including:
- Level of silt/debris (e.g. percentage full)
- Seized or damaged covers
- Accessibility status
- GPS location confirmation
All collected data was uploaded to a dedicated online portal, developed in collaboration with the council. Through this system, the client could view all drainage assets on an interactive map supported by a traffic-light status:
- Green, gully successfully cleaned
- Red, gully requiring further attention (e.g. broken cover, obstruction, or inaccessibility)
This transparent reporting structure enabled the council to monitor performance in real-time, identify areas of concern, and prioritise remedial actions. Furthermore, by analysing silt levels, the council could determine which gullies fill more rapidly, allowing for targeted scheduling and more efficient resource allocation in future maintenance cycles.
All works were delivered in close coordination with the local authority, including traffic management arrangements and strict adherence to the pre-agreed schedule of locations and working times to minimise public disruption.
Outcomes and Benefits: Safer Roads Through Gully Cleaning Services
Metro Rod’s service has provided substantial operational and environmental benefits to the council and local communities:
- Reduced Flood Risk: Regular cleaning and proactive monitoring prevent surface water build-up and highway flooding.
- Safer Roads: Clear drainage ensures safer driving conditions and compliance with highway safety standards.
- Data-Led Asset Management: The portal system empowers the council to make informed decisions on maintenance priorities, repair works, and budget planning.
- Environmental Compliance: Proper waste disposal and responsible drainage management support environmental objectives.
- Proactive Infrastructure Care: Early identification of issues such as broken covers or inaccessible gullies allows swift remedial action before they escalate into costly repairs.
- Enhanced Public Confidence: Demonstrates the council’s proactive commitment to maintaining resilient, flood-safe road networks.
Metro Rod’s Expertise in Gully Cleaning and Flood Prevention
Through a combination of technical expertise, innovative data systems, and seamless coordination, we delivered a comprehensive gully maintenance service that exceeded expectations. The success of this partnership illustrates Metro Rod’s capability to provide end-to-end drainage management solutions, combining traditional maintenance excellence with modern asset intelligence.
Metro Rod continues to support local authorities across the UK in delivering efficient, compliant, and data-driven drainage maintenance, ensuring safer roads and sustainable infrastructure.
Talk to your local Metro Rod specialist
We are always happy to arrange a free site assessment and no obligation quotations for any work you might need. Alternatively, you can call our emergency hotline number on 0800 66 88 00
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