What is a highway
gully?
A highway gully is a drainage pit covered by an open metal
grating located on the road edge. It’s purpose is to drain rain
water from the highway into the sewerage system. The Highway
Authority (Council) is responsible for maintaining/cleaning highway
gullies. Please report any problems to Council Connect.
> Report-it
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What is a Highway
Drain?
A highway drain is pipe connecting the highway gully to the
surface water sewer. It’s purpose is to carry rain water from the
highway gully into the surface water sewerage system. In some
circumstances the drain may outfall into rivers, ponds, etc.
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What is a Surface Water
Sewer?
A surface water sewer is a large underground drain connecting
the highway drain to the sewerage treatment works. It purpose is to
carry surface water, and in some circumstances surface water and
foul sewerage combined, to the sewerage treatment works. The
resposibility is the sewerage undertaker, such as www.wessexwater.co.uk
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What is a Soakaway?
A soakaway is a drainage pit covered by a metal cover or
sometimes by soil. Its purpose is to allow rain water from
buildings to permeate into the surrounding subsoil. These are
sometimes used to drain the highway.
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What is the purpose of highway
drainage?
Highway drainage systems are installed to capture surface water
run-off to alleviate flooding and protect the fabric of the
road.
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.
Highway drainage should fulfil the following objectives:
- Prevent flooding, ponding and seepage, and keep the
carriageway, cycleway and footway as free of standing water as
possible.
- Ensure surface water falling on the highway enters the drainage
system or natural watercourse as speedily as possible.
- Keep the underlying road structure as dry as possible.
- Prevent injury or damage caused by hazardous surface
water.
- Prevent highway surface water flooding adjacent
properties.
- Prevent blockages in associated highway drainage systems with
consequential flooding.
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How often does the
Council clean highway drainage?
Highway drainage requires routine maintenance to ensure it’s
continued efficiency. From time to time, additional maintenance is
essential to ensure the system continues to function properly.
Gullies and their immediate pipe connection are emptied and
cleansed as part of an annual proactive maintenance programme.
The frequencies are:
- Rural areas, twice per year
-
Urban areas, once a year
However, where persistent problems are identified with gully
cleansing for example, being blocked by silt and detritus on a
regular basis, the gullies are specifically identified and
programmed for a greater cleansing frequency.
In some rural areas, the carriageway is drained by non-piped
drains consisting of "grips" cut into the verge which feed into a
ditch. Existing grips and back ditches on the whole highway network
will be re-cut and cleansed on an annual basis as part of the
pro-active maintenance programme.
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How does the Council prioritise
drainage improvements?
Enhancements may be necessary to cope with changing climatic
conditions, and to remedy inadequate parts of the system.
Before any drainage system is provided a full assessment of the
existing system should be made to determine whether a satisfactory
solution may be obtained by thoroughly cleaning or extending the
existing arrangement.
Drainage improvement schemes will be added to the structural
maintenance programme and prioritised on the following basis:
- Flooding of residential or commercial property.
- Flooding or ponding on the highway presenting a hazard to road
users.
- Seepage of water or water crossing the highway on bends and
gradients liable to cause aquaplaning or formation of ice.
- To eliminate drainage to the highway requiring immediate works
i.e. severe scouring.
- Flooding of land adjacent to the highway will be considered as
a separate measure on the basis of site specific evaluation.
- Drainage covers, gully gratings and other ironwork that is part
of the highway drainage system will be reset if they are greater
than 20mm below or above the general carriageway, cycleway or
footway surface where identified or notified.
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