Yes and as I understand it it is these channels that are blocked with broken down leaves. Therefore the water is unable to run away and must be seeping back into the footwell. Once the channels are unblocked surely the problem should go away. That's what the garage think anyway. I mean if water could not seep through the bulkhead then what would be the point in putting the channels there for water to escape through? These channels must be designed to stop leakage from the bulkhead.

I'll let you know anyway whether it cures the problem or not.