Sir — Due to recent heavy rainfall, many local roads have been flooded, particularly in rural areas. This is as a result of the council not clearing out drains, ditches and gullies regularly enough.

It’s no good Ian Hudspeth, speaking on Radio Oxford last week, congratulating himself that “everything was in place” to deal with flooding problems because drain clearing had just been carried out.

Surely it’s not acceptable to wait until flooding occurs to commence this work.

Drain and ditch clearing should be regarded as essential maintenance throughout the year and would help prevent the misery of homes being at flood risk and road travel disrupted.

Clare Richardson, Headington