Let's be clear about drains

A drain doesn't need to be kept clear just because it's a drain. 

Devon County Council, cutting back everywhere, seems to have forgotten that the purpose of keeping a drain clear is to get water off our streets and pavements. Doh!

And - as global warming increases rainfall intensity - we more often need good clear drains to keep water out of our homes and businesses too.

Perhaps I notice more as one of Exeter's many cyclists and walkers, but the last few days have brought us plenty of rain, and too much of it stays around too long.

Puddles turn to pools. Pools turn to lakes. Walking becomes wading.

And as for cycling - some 'lakes' are too large to stop pedaling and coast all the way through. And all that water certainly hides nasty pothole surprises. 

But it's driver behaviour that seems to have become decidedly inconsiderate as drain maintenance gets worse. 

For goodness sake - just drive at 5mph for five seconds when going through undrained pools. Don't fling up water all over nearby walkers and cyclists.