Rutland County Council has announced it will be ramping up its annual programme of highways work to tackle the risk of flooding in the county.

As part of this effort, 4,000 gullies are due to be checked and cleared in the coming weeks. 

The Council's Highways Service operates a year-round programme of work to maintain the 400 miles of road in the county, including maintaining surface water drains, gullies, roadside verge drainage, bridges, traffic signals and streetlights. 

As winter approaches, residents will see an increase in preparations across the county's road network, getting the area ready for wetter weather. 

The work is being carried out as part of the Council's rolling highway maintenance programme, which clears highway drains and repairs gullies to reduce surface water collecting on the roads 

Local authorities throughout the country are having to adjust their road maintenance with the impacts of climate change and the increase in severe weather events that have been seen in more recent years. 

The Council's new long term contractor Thomas Bow Ltd will be working in partnership with the council to carry out the works. (Photo: Rutland County Council)

Speaking about this increase in road maintenance, Cllr Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities at RCC said: "Memories of the recent floods are still fresh in many people's minds – particularly in communities that were worst affected. 

"We've been working throughout the year to maintain the local highway network and drainage systems that handle rainfall and surface water. Even with all this work, businesses and communities still have a role to play in preparing for flooding and should be doing this now – before winter sets in again. We can never fully eliminate the risk of flooding so please make sure you're prepared." 

Rutland County Council is looking to recruit a dedicated Flood Risk Officer and Sustainability and Climate Change Officer to support its work in the area. 

For information about protecting your home or business from flooding and how to stay safe in the event of a flood, visit the Council's dedicated flooding page on their website. Any flooding to roads and homes can also be reported on the Council's website, during periods of heavy rain.