DRAINS and gullies around Kirklees face being cleaned half as often under a review of the service.
Staffing and equipment cuts mean the rolling programme to clear out clogged culverts will be badly hit.
The matter will be discussed at Kirklees Council's overview and scrutiny panel for transportation tomorrow.
A report to members states there is a major problem with blocked gullies and drains and that an overhaul of the service is called for.
There are about 80,000 streets in Kirklees.
At the moment, drains and gullies in classified roads are cleaned four times a year, while those with unclassified status are paid a visit just twice a year.
Last year, six crews operated gully cleaning machines throughout Kirklees at a total cost of £440,000. This year, the number has dropped to five at a higher projected cost of £460,000.
And next March, two of the machines will need replacing at an extra cost of £30,000 a year.
The cleaning schedule is being reviewed to take into account the fact only five machines will be available.
While staff from the Highways department will deal with drains reported blocked, the gully emptying crews will concentrate on a standard schedule of clean-outs.
Proposals have recently been agreed to transfer the whole highway gully emptying operation to Highways from the Cleansing Department.
The gullies themselves are repaired by Highways staff.
