Cyclists, motorbike riders and other road users are being put at risk by callous thieves who are stealing drain and gully covers from the capital's roads, councillors are warning.

Hundreds of cast iron covers, some dating back to Victorian times, are thought to have been stolen across London for their scrap metal value. In Wandsworth alone, 30 have been stolen over the past few months. 

By removing them the thieves are leaving gaping holes in the road surface, leaving a potential death trap for cyclists, bikers and pedestrians. Car owners also face hefty repair bills if their wheels fall into one of these holes.

Councils across the capital are replacing the covers as quickly as possible, but because they were constructed so long ago, there is no standard size replacement and often the whole gully needs to be reconstructed, which inevitably takes time.

To deter the thieves from stealing the replacements, Wandsworth is now using a new hinged design which means that the grid cannot be lifted out of the frame and removed.

Transport spokesman Guy Senior said:
"Unfortunately with the recent rise in the value of scrap metal, these thefts are on the increase. If you spot anyone tampering with these metal covers, please dial 999 immediately and call the police.  And if you spot an uncovered drain or gully please report it to us straight away so we can put in a temporary cover as quickly as possible. Please don't assume someone else has reported it. We would rather get lots of calls about the same gully than none at all."

To report a missing cover or any other street defect telephone (020) 8871 6706 or email dtsonstreetservices@wandsworth.gov.uk.

 

 

February 3, 2010