Maintenance of Existing Highway Drainage Systems
1. Introduction
1.1 Drainage systems for the sole purpose of accepting surface water run-off from the highway are the responsibility of the Highway Authority unless they have been specifically adopted by the drainage authority.
1.2 Highway drainage systems are installed to capture surface water run-off to alleviate flooding and protect the fabric of the road.
1.3 Many open ditch drainage systems are historic and are the responsibility of the adjoining landowner for maintenance. The Highway Authority has powers to cleanse and restore the profile of these ditches as appropriate.
2. Relevant Legislation
2.1 Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 imposes a duty upon the Highway Authority (Hampshire County Council) to maintain those roads which are maintainable at public expense.
2.2 Section 100 of the Highways Act 1980 empowers the Highway Authority (Hampshire County Council) to construct, maintain or cleanse drainage systems in the highway or on adjoining/nearby land, for the purpose of drainage or prevention of surface water on the highway.
3. Policy
3.1 The County Council as the Highway Authority shall identify through a system of regular inspections existing drainage systems requiring maintenance.
3.2 The County Council shall prioritise any necessary maintenance (repairs) identified through the regular inspection regime or from other sources.
3.3 The County Council shall arrange for cyclic maintenance (cleaning) to be carried out at a minimum frequency described in table 1.
Version No: 1.0
Effective: From - 21/04/2004
If copied or printed, this document should be treated as uncontrolled and correct only at the date it was copied or printed.