Neighbours are celebrating after a successful fight to have a drain unblocked.

The drain at the bottom of Etna Road in St Albans caused flooding in the street due to building works taking place further up the road.

Neighbours immediately logged this as an urgent problem with the county council's contractor Highways, but after months went by they were told it could be 2017 before it was fixed.

Bashir Jivani, 49, of Etna Road, said: “The problem was getting critical. Every time it rained the whole area got completely inundated and was in danger of flooding the nearby properties.

“Moreover there is a school opposite and parents and pupils were having to walk in the middle of the road to avoid the flooded pavement.

“Needless to say we approached everyone we could – councillors, council officers – to intervene for a speedy resolution.”

According to Mr Jivani, Hertfordshire County Council said it was not their fault but the building company were also saying it had nothing to do with them.

The neighbours went back to the council but they said there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Mr Jivani contacted Hertfordshire County Councillor Chris White who offered to put some money into fixing the blocked drain but that is all he could do.

Mr Jivani said: “Hertfordshire County Cllr Terry Douris said he was looking into it but nobody really wanted to take this on board.

“We could not get anyone to take responsibility. St Albans District Councillor Alun Davies got involved even though it is not his batch.

“He does not have any influence or say on the county level but he said he would take responsibility for it.”

According to Mr Jivani, Cllr Davies pushed, shoved and really fought hard and kept people informed of what was happening.

Last Saturday the neighbours were pleased to see workers come down to the drain and begin unblocking it.

Mr Jivani said it took roughly around 10 to 15 minutes to get the drain unblocked and within 20 minutes they were gone.

He said: “We were absolutely delighted. We celebrated with a glass of bubbly.

“I want to thank Alun for all his help. He took our complaint to heart and with great tenacity and perseverance he found the right people to chase and would not let go until it was all done.”

Kevin Carrol, Ringway divisional manager, working on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council, said: "Blocked drains are identified as follow up works from the 18 month countywide cyclical gully emptying programme.

"Works to resolve blockages that have been identified are then put into a countywide planned programme of works.

"Delivering works in this way ensures the most efficient use of available budgets."