Your County - Putting Kent First

Kent 4 star Council

Contacts

Kent Highway Services
Kent County Council
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XX

Telephone icon 08458 247 800
Report a fault

Email icon kent.highwayservices @kent.gov.uk

Highway flooding

Flooding can be broken down into:

  • rainfall, known as pluvial
  • rivers and streams known as fluvial
  • coastal

In addition, if water companies' services fail it can cause mains water or sewerage to surcharge - causing local flooding.

When flooding does occur, we need to make sure that the water is cleared quickly and effectively from roads and pavements. This can be helped by maintaining the highway's drainage system, but when this is not enough, we will take further measures to make sure roads stay open and safe.

Reporting a flood

For pluvial (rainfall) flooding call us on 08458 247 800 or use our online fault reporting form (link opens in a new window).


Important: If the issue is a hazard to public safety or anything else urgent then call us immediately on 08458 247 800. Do not use the online reporting form.


For fluvial and coastal flooding call the Environment Agency Flood Line on 0845 9881188 or go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk for flood alert levels and the most current information.

Why flooding on the highways occurs

Flooding occurs when the amount of water arriving on the road is greater than the capacity of the drainage facilities that would usually take it away. Flooding is most likely to occur:

  • during periods of exceptional rainfall
  • when a road is in a low lying area
  • when there are changes in 'run off' from adjacent fields
  • when nearby rivers have overflown

Drainage grills and gratings can become blocked very quickly when material such as mud is left on the road or when there is a heavy fall of leaves.


Pluvial flooding happens with very little notice and will usually be confined to a small area.

Policies regarding water from other rivers or private land

  • If water has not been caused by rainfall on the highway, it is not automatically our responsibility to clear it.
  • There is no duty on us (the highway authority) to deal with surface water run-off from land next to the road.
  • We have the power to enforce landowners, with land next to the highway, to carry out reasonable drainage works. This is under the Land Drainage Act 1991.
  • Where there is surface water run-off from land next to the highway, we are not automatically responsible for making sure the highway remains open. But there is a duty to keep the highway safe and to a suitable standard for users.

Copyright Kent County Council 2009