Drain cover thefts

by danielbarker on 21 August, 2019

Message from the Council

As you may be aware, since the weekend we have received a number of reports of drain cover thefts……. location details are provided below for your information:

Willenhall  
1.         Hawthorne Road x 9
2.         Johnson Road x 1
3.         Cranmer Avenue x 1
4.         Coltham Road x 3
5.         Trinity Road x 2
6.         Pimbury Road x 2
7.         Littleton Road x 1
8.         Elm Street x 1
9.         Church Street x 1
10.       Thorne Road x 3  

Roadside drains can be over a metre deep and missing covers present a potential risk to the safety of road users and pedestrians, particularly at night when they are not as easily visible. Tarmac are working as quickly as they can to make each location safe.  The number of affected drains far exceeds the number of drain covers Tarmac would ordinarily keep in stock at the depot so they are liaising with suppliers to source and install replacement covers as soon as possible.

We have received a number of reports regarding the occupants of a white van witnessed removing drain covers from the streets listed above. Details of these individuals and the vehicle involved have been provided to West Midlands Police who are investigating the thefts. Trading Standards are also contacting scrap metal merchants and asking that they be vigilant and mindful of the thefts.  

Finally, with regards to advice to our customers, we are encouraging members of the public to help us ensure the safety of highway users by reporting any missing manhole or drain covers to our Contact Centre on 01922 650000.

Please note that we have approximately 36,000 drains/gullys within the borough and, as a matter of course, in all new schemes install hinged covers to prevent such thefts. I hope that this information is of assistance.

Kind regards

Steve Pretty

Head of Service

Content published and promoted by Willenhall Liberal Democrats all at 23 Lynwood Close, New Invention WV12 5BW

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