How does water drain away from roads and
pavements?
Water drains from roads into gratings at the sides of roads.
Gratings are placed over collecting pots called gullies. In towns
and some larger villages, gullies are often connected to sewers. If
not, the water flows to soakaways (large underground chambers where
water collects and gradually soaks out through holes into the
surrounding ground), streams or roadside ditches. On the coast the
water may flow out to the beach.
How do gullies work?
Water from the road drains into the gulley pots. The silt or
dirt settles in the bottom of the gulley, and the water drains
through an outlet pipe in the side of the gulley. We clean out the
silt to prevent it from blocking the outlet pipe.
How often do you clean the gullies?
We clean gullies more often in areas where heavy rain may cause
flooding, or where a lot of debris washes into the gulley pots. We
aim to clean all gullies at least once every two years, but there
are many gullies throughout Kent that we clean more often. This
makes sure all drainage systems are working properly. We can clean
out gullies individually if they are blocked.
How can I find out how often you clean the gullies in my
road?
Please contact us.
I have noticed that there is water in the gulley pots all the
time - does this mean they are blocked?
It is normal to see water in gulley pots. They have a water trap
(like domestic sinks or toilets) to prevent smells from coming back
up from sewers or drains.
Who should I contact if I see a blocked gulley?
Let us know and we will make sure we put the gulley on our cleaning
plan. If the gulley is not working because litter is covering the
gratings, you should contact your local district or borough
council.
Who cleans soakaways and sewers?
Their owners clean these. We are responsible for soakaways and
drains that carry water from the road. The sewerage authority for
the area is responsible for the main sewers.
I've often noticed ditches along the sides of roads. What are
they for?
Ditches are usually part of the land drainage system for an area.
Most were dug centuries ago to drain marshy land which then became
land for farming and roads. Some ditches have been dug to drain the
road, and some old ones may have been moved so that they run at the
side of a road.
Who is responsible for keeping them clean?
The person who owns the land at the side of the road is responsible
for keeping ditches free of silt and overgrowth.
So you don't keep the ditches clean?
We do not have a duty to keep ditches clean, even where road water
drains into them, but we can voluntarily clean them out. However,
this is always the landowner's responsibility.
If we own the land next to the ditch, we must keep the ditch
clean.
Who should I contact if I see a blocked ditch?
Contact us if the blockage is causing flooding on the road. If the
blockage is causing problems on other land, phone the Environment
Agency's Incident Line on 0800 807060.
Who should I contact about litter or rubbish that has been
dumped illegally?
Contact your local district or borough council, as they are
responsible for keeping public areas
Who should I contact if I think there is pollution?
Report pollution (such as sewage, diesel, chemicals and so on)
immediately to the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visit
their website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
I am responsible for looking after a roadside ditch. Can I
prevent you from draining the road to my ditch?
We have legal powers which allow us to drain water from the roads
to ditches.
I don't want to have a ditch next to my property - can I fill
it in?
Sometimes the Environment Agency will allow you to put a pipe into
a ditch, but it is unlikely they will allow you to fill in the
ditch.
Where can I find more information about highway drainage and
roadside ditches?
Contact us for information about the highway drainage system in
your road or if you have a question about highway drainage going
into a ditch.
For all other questions, phone the Environment Agency on 08708
506506 or visit their website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Report a problem
If you notice a problem with drainage or with flooding on a road
or pavement, use our
online fault reporting form (link opens in a new window).
You will require an e-mail address to complete an online
report; if you do not have an e-mail address please call 08458 247
800. |