Roads across central and southern Abingdon, and possibly further afield, were lined with notices warning that 22 July was scheduled for drain cleaning and asking motorists to not park their vehicles at that point.

When the drain-cleaning team reached West St Helen Street, they directed a hose pipe at the drain. The test presumably showed that the drain was flowing freely and not blocked, so the notice was removed without any further work being needed.

Some of the other drains identified for attention did require cleaning, which involved a more extensive process.