A BLOCKED gully causing drains to overflow on to the main road through Darwen should be cleared by the council next week.

Businessman Martin Evans said overflowing drains posed a risk to shops along Duckworth Street.

Mr Evans, who owns scooter shop Scootlife, said the drains in the road outside his shop were constantly blocked up.

And with the persistent heavy rain that has fallen in recent weeks, he said there was a danger the water could get into businesses.

After being contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s gully crew investigated the problem, and clearance work is expected to start next week.

Mr Evans, 46, of nearby Harwood Street, said the problem had been ongoing for several years. He said: “I have reported it a few times. The rain runs right over the drain it is that full and it is the same on both sides of the road.

“United Utilities came out once and pumped the water out of the drain but when I asked about clearing the blockage he said he hadn’t been told to do that.

“I pay £100 for surface water drainage but somebody isn’t doing what we pay them for.

“It isn’t just here, either. There is one drain on the corner of Vale Street and Grime Street that has been blocked for years.

“One local councillor even told me if the drains hadn’t been blocked it would have made the town’s floods even worse as the culvert couldn’t have coped.”

George Bell, associate director for highways and transportation at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We have recently been made aware of a problem with a road gully on the A666.

“A crew went out with a gully wagon to address the situation but found that the connection to the gully pot is damaged.

“The gully connection needs to be investigated further to find the extent and depth of the damage before it can be repaired.

“We are aware of the situation and hope the issue can be resolved as soon as possible.”