West Sussex County Council looks after 137,000 highways drains and gulleys across the county, and it is hard to predict where leaves collect and where issues will arise.
The council is calling on residents to help rake leaves away in residential roads, provided they can do so safely. Five minutes spent raking them out of the way can help prevent blockages and potential flooding.
Five top tips:
• Stand on the verge or pavement and rake leaves downhill towards you until they are well out of the way.
• Where possible do it in daylight (outside peak hours) when visibility is good, on roads of less than 40mph.
• If you live on a busy street, park your car in front of the drain to create a safety barrier for you.
• Wear something bright so you are clearly visible and other road users know you are there.
• Avoid raking leaves uphill, or into the road, as they will only be blown or washed back into the drain.
The council has produced a short film on the subject: https://youtu.be/cmzairxU5dQ
If flooding problems persist after a drain has been cleared of leaves, you can report them by visiting love.westsussex.gov.uk