Examples of surface water drainage in rural areas

1. Watercourse/ditch between properties

Joint responsibility of the adjacent landowners¹.

2. Verge

Responsibility of the highway's authority.

3. Bridged access

Responsibility of the property owner².

4. Pipe under access

Property owners' responsibility to maintain and protect.

5. Roadside hedges and trees

Responsibility of the adjacent landowner.

6. Ditch

Responsibility of the adjacent landowner³.

7. Highway grip

Responsibility of the Highway's Authority.

¹Further advice on riparian ownership and responsibility of ditches can be found on the West Berkshire Council website. Find out more about Responsibilities: ditches and riparian owners here.

²Ordinary Watercourse consent is required when providing new access over existing watercourses if the access encroaches within the extent of the watercourse. Further advice on ordinary watercourse consent can be found on the West Berkshire Council website. Find out more about Changing watercourses: Ordinary Watercourse Consent here.

³The highways authority may be liable to responsibility for the ditch if the adjacent land parcel is relatively small in size or falls away from the highway. Find out more about ditch responsibilities here.