Swansea Council Highways staff have been working around the clock to keep the city moving during the recent heavy rain.
Council highway staff have been unblocking overflowing culverts and sweeping leaves from some of the 38,000 gullies across the city.
Recent heavy rain affected most communities in Swansea and in some areas roads became temporary rivers. In one community, water flowed so hard down a watercourse that it took with it an abandoned fridge which ended up blocking a culvert.
Ian Jones, one of Swansea Council’s Area Highways Managers, said: “The recent rainfall has been horrendous and has had an impact right across Swansea.
“During the worst hours, I was driving back from Gower into the city centre and a torrent of water was flowing down a main road. The city seemed deserted apart from Council workers who were all out doing what needed to be done. It was quite impressive.”
Mr Jones said that some Council workers also had to deal with some abusive phonecalls from angry residents.
He said: “We are doing what we can to assist residents in the city. Some residents affected by the heavy rain are finding it quite stressful and we have had to deal with quite a few abusive phone calls.
“I watched another team of Council workers at the road side who were covered in mud which had sprayed up from vehicles. We are out there in all weathers trying to do the best we can.”
Ian said his teams had been working day and night to deal with the flood-related problems which are the worst he has seen in 30 years.
Carl Humphrey, Head of Streetscene in Swansea Council, said: “Council staff have done an excellent job and I hope residents can appreciate their efforts.
“Extra staff were brought in to deal with the high volume of telephone calls to our emergency hotline.
“It’s important for residents to understand what our priorities are during these times. They are to ensure roads and public highways such as footpaths are clear for use. We try and do what we can for individual residents where resources allow us the opportunity.”
