|
Drainage systems play a very important role in keeping
Kent's roads safe and clear of excess water while helping to
maintain structural integrity. We maintain the drainage systems
along highways and roads to ensure they are all working
effectively. These systems consist of:
- road gullies and grills
- soakaways
- lagoons
- catchpits
- flap valves
- miles of connecting pipe
Roadside ditches are not part of our responsibilities but that
of the land owner who has a duty to keep them clear.
How the drainage system works
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, which are large underground
chambers where water collects and gradually soaks out through holes
into the surrounding ground, or to streams and roadside ditches. On
the coast water may flow out to the beach.
Reporting a problem
Contact us for information about the highway drainage system in
your road or if you notice a problem with drainage or flooding on a
road or pavement. Either use our use our
online fault reporting form (link opens in a
new window) or call us on 08458 247 800.
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.
Reporting 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 807 060.
Reporting pollution
Report pollution, such as sewage, diesel and chemicals,
immediately to the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060 or visit
their website at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Reporting a blocked gulley
Contact us if you notice a blocked gully. However, if the gulley
is not working because litter is covering the gratings, you should
contact your
district council.
Maintaining the gullies, soakaways and sewers
We clean gullies more regularly 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 on a needs basis. Once a complete
inventory has been collected this will ensure the drainage systems
work properly.
Cleaning soakaways and sewers
We are also responsible for the cleaning of soakaways and drains
that carry water from the road. The sewerage authority for the area
is responsible for the main sewers.
Maintaining ditches along road sides
Ditches are usually part of the land drainage system for an
area. The person who owns the land at the side of the road is
responsible for keeping ditches free of silt and
overgrowth. |