Highway drainage

National Highways deal with highway drainage and flood risk matters associated with the M4, and A34 Trunk Road.

All remaining roads and pavements within West Berkshire are the responsibility of West Berkshire Council.

To report highway flooding, please visit our report flooding page.

Responsibilities

West Berkshire Council, acting as the highway authority, have the following responsibilities under the Highways Act 1980: 

• maintain highways, including ensuring that highway drainage systems are clear and that blockages on the highway are cleared
• deliver works that they consider necessary to protect the highway from flooding, either on the highway itself or on land which has been acquired by the Highway Authority in the exercising of highway acquisition powers
• divert parts of watercourses or carry out any other works on any form of watercourse if it is necessary for the construction, improvement or alteration of the highway or provides a new means of access to any premises from the highway

For more information about the roles and responsibilities of West Berkshire Council and other flood risk management authorities, see our roles and responsibilities page.

For more information about flood risk legislation, visit our legislation page.

The Highway Drainage Network

Highway drainage systems are principally designed to manage the rainwater that falls on the highway to mitigate flood risk and protect the road surface. Highway drainage cannot prevent flooding during serious or prolonged weather events, but it can be used to manage flow in a way that reduces risk to the public and property.

It is acknowledged that West Berkshire has a large number of rural roads that border areas used for agriculture. It is not uncommon in these areas for the highway to drain runoff into ditch networks which also serve as land drainage. For more information on this matter please see our land drainage and ordinary watercourses page.

Highway drainage systems may incorporate various features, including gullies, chambers, pipe networks, channels, ditches and SuDS systems.

Common issues and powers

Here are some factors that can lead to highway flooding:

• blocked or collapsed gullies, pipes, sewers, culverts, or ditches
• insufficient drainage in the area due to the wider terrain
• water from private land flowing onto the road
• overburdened drainage systems during severe storms
• high groundwater and watercourse levels

Highway flooding can also impact private properties if water drains off the highway, either directly or indirectly. Typically, this occurs when private properties are located below the level of the road and access/driveways fail to restrict road runoff from entering the property curtilage (highway runoff runs against the kerb or edge of the highway before entering gullies - often forgotten when developing new properties/providing new access).

If the flooding results from inadequate highway drainage, the Highway Authority may be held liable for creating a nuisance. Additionally, if an individual is responsible for causing a nuisance, the Highway Authority has the right to take legal action against that person.

The council will endeavour to work with any party impacted by flooding to resolve issues before exercising powers and will take action where there are immediate safety concerns.
 

Visit our flood risk management page.