NE London Bike Polo: Wednesdays: Mitchison Road N1 / Weekends:Hackney Downs E5

On the subject of Downham, I just spoke (finally) to my mate Will from Green Work Force about the drains at Downham. He says that as it is likely that they are silted up, at the very least it will require rods (which he doesn't carry as rods are too bulky for the bike he uses), but the silt probably won't be shifted by anything less than a full jet job. He estimates that this is likely to cost low hundreds, if we were to get to use a private contractor like Dynorod.

His advice is to keep hassling the council. I know that someone did write or phone the council, but maybe it's time for us all to write the council, or at least all the Hackney borough residents.

Companies like Dynorod are very good at increasing the charges once they get to site. If you call up for a quote they will tell you it's something like 80quid for the first half hour and that it "may not take longer than that"
In my experience it "always" takes longer than that and they add massive charges for using their equipment. I once saw this happen and the end bill was over 700.

I would look into hiring a jet cleaner from HSS or somewhere and buying some rods as they aren't very expensive. I'd be happy to help carry out the work and pick up/drop off the jet washer in the van.
Maybe hoping for too much but we could send the bill to the council? :)