Contractors start clearing nearly 600 drains across 237 flood-prone roads next week. The city's flood strategy consultation closes on Sunday 27 September.

Contractors start work next week on nearly 600 drains and gullies across 237 Brighton and Hove roads, ahead of the autumn and winter rain. The council announced the programme on 11 September and says it targets the parts of the city most prone to surface water flooding (Brighton & Hove City Council, 11 September 2026).

More than 46,000 people in the city live in areas that could be affected by surface water flooding. That is the council’s own figure, published when it opened its flood strategy consultation last month (council, 17 August 2026).

What the contractors will do

The council lists four things in the programme:

  • cleaning and jetting the drains and gullies crews can get to
  • identifying defects and investigating blockages
  • assessing obstructed drains where access allows, with return visits where it does not
  • a storm response cleaning programme for critical locations when a weather warning is issued

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “As we’ve seen this summer, we are having to do more to adapt the impacts of climate change.” He added that with more severe weather predicted, “it’s important we’re proactive in trying to prevent surface water flooding and protect those vulnerable homes and businesses across the city.”

The council has not published the list of 237 roads.

Key facts panel: nearly 600 drains and gullies, across 237 roads, with more than 46,000 residents living in surface water flood risk areas, and the flood strategy consultation closing on Sunday 27 September 2026
Graphic by The Brighton Times

The consultation that closes on 27 September

Running alongside the clearing work is the council’s draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. It opened on 17 August and closes on Sunday 27 September. It sets out how the council intends to handle flood risk over the coming years, including:

  • improving drainage systems
  • building flood protection schemes
  • requiring sustainable drainage in new development
  • nature-based measures such as ponds, rain gardens and tree planting
  • supporting community preparedness
  • working with the Environment Agency and Southern Water

Surface water from heavy rainfall is named as the most significant local flood threat. The city also has groundwater, sewer and coastal flood risk in places. Responses go through the council’s Your Voice consultation page.

How the drains are normally cleaned

Outside this programme, the council’s gullies and drains are cleaned on a cycle of every 12 or 18 months. After a gully has been done, a coloured spot is spray-painted on the grating, so you can tell at a glance whether yours has been visited (council, reporting a blocked drain or gully).

Two other details from that page are worth knowing before you report anything. The council prioritises flooded homes and genuine safety issues, “not garages or gardens”. And contractors recycle up to 95% of the silt taken out of the bottom of the gullies, which goes back into road surfacing material.

What it means for you

  • If your street floods every winter, this is the fortnight to report it. Use the council’s report a problem with a gully or drain form, and give the location precisely.
  • Before you report, check whether the grating is simply covered in leaves or litter that you can clear yourself. The council asks people to do that first.
  • If the problem is a sewer rather than a road drain, that is Southern Water, not the council. The number on the council’s page is 0330 303 0368.
  • If the drain is on private property, it is the property owner’s responsibility.
  • If you want a say on the strategy, you have until Sunday 27 September.
  • On the day itself, our Brighton roadworks and travel page tracks closures across the city, and flooding closes roads faster than anything else in a Brighton winter.

Sources