Investigating
Broken drain
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
This drain was recently reported (in December, your reference 8565126) to have a broken tarmac surround resulting in excess noise and increasing damage. The tarmac was repaired on or shortly before February 23rd. Unfortunately, in the interim the traffic on the drain, primarily buses, has damaged the drain so that its ironwork is no longer properly supported. It flexes badly on one corner. Thus, even with the repair, each time a bus passes over the drain, there is a tremendous crash (I measured 100 dB) and vibrations which shake nearby houses significantly.
Council ref: ENQ261090589
Asset ID: 290042023
Updates
-
Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
-
I would like to add to this report the two previous reports in relation to this drain. First reported on 9th Dec 2025 FixMyStreet ref: 8499178, Council Ref: ENQ251066896 ( Closed with promise to fix) Second report on 18th Dec 2025 FixMyStreet ref: 8565126, Council Ref: ENQ251069169. A patch up was completed on the 23rd February, ticket closed. As stated on this current ticket, the issue is with the drain grate and support surround, they are no longer uniformly supported in the drain, thus rocks every time a bus or coach passes over it. This causes noise and vibration every time due to the impact. The tarmac around the drain would best be described as flexible filler, it is soft to touch and malleable and thus will soon be washed out with combination of rain and traffic running over it. Solution: set the drain grate and surround in concrete above the drain properly, and allow time for it to set before allowing traffic to start driving on it. Please don't turn up on a morning and throw some tarmac around the edge and then claim it is fixed.
-
In December 2025, you stated it would be investigated. When workmen attended in February 2026, an inadequate repair (as good as no repair) was carried out. As of May 2026, the problem remains exactly as of December 2025.
Meanwhile, buses continue to strike the damaged drain daily. The resulting noise and vibration are severe and are causing ongoing disturbance and potential damage to nearby properties. This is entirely preventable.
The lack of even basic interim measures is unacceptable. If a permanent repair cannot be completed immediately, then a temporary solution - such as installing a barrier or marking an exclusion zone - should have been implemented long ago to stop vehicles driving into it. *Please could this be done.*
It is equally concerning that this hazard is being repeatedly hit by buses without any apparent mitigation. The drivers - presumably driving the same route daily - must know of this issue and yet continue to hit it at - or above - the speed limit. This raises serious questions about safety and oversight.
This situation has been allowed to continue for over half a year now, despite clear awareness. When will this be properly fixed, and what immediate action will now be taken to prevent further damage and risk?
-
Please note there is a leak from the manhole in the middle of the road and another water leak in the grate next to the curb. This has been going on for three weeks now - I believe this might be a Thames Water problem and would urge someone to come out and investigate urgently.
Provide an update
Your information will only be used in accordance with our privacy policy