Information on organisations and responsibilities
Redbridge has multiple roles and functions, including as a Highway Authority, an LLFA (Lead Local Flood Authority), a landowner and a Category One Responder.
As a Highway Authority, Redbridge is responsible for maintaining any highway assets on adopted roads which are not on the Strategic Road Network (which is managed by TfL). Highway drainage, such as drains, kerbs, road gullies, ditches and pipes, have to be managed and routinely inspected to ensure that highway runoff on and from highways is well managed. Redbridge’s highway drainage responsibilities include highway gullies and pipework up to the point it connects to the public sewer network, where it becomes Thames Waters responsibility.
Highway gullies are metal slotted grids that are found next to the kerb and drain water that collects on the public highway. They are also known as drains. Sometimes these gullies are embedded in the kerb forming a metal box within the kerbstone.
Each gully is programmed for cleaning once a year.
Report a flooded or blocked drain
- gullies reported with missing/broken grates that are causing a danger to the public will be made safe as a matter of urgency and dealt with as soon as possible
- gullies with broken grates that are not causing a danger to the public will be added to our programme for maintenance of non-urgent works
Main drainage sewer systems are the responsibility of Thames Water
As the LLFA, Redbridge is responsible for managing local flood risk. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires Redbridge to:
- carry out works that manage the local flood risk – see case studies of flood alleviation schemes within Redbridge here.
- co-operate with other Risk Management Authorities, such as the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
- prepare and maintain a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
- maintain a Register of Assets - these are physical features that have an effect on flooding.
- undertake investigations when flooding events where necessary and make the results from these investigations public, these can be formally reported on and are called Section 19 reports.
- regulate ordinary watercourses to maintain a proper flow under the Land Drainage Act 1991.
- undertake a statutory consultee role providing technical advice on surface water drainage to local planning authorities for major developments.
As a Category One Responder, Redbridge is required to:
- assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform contingency planning.
- put in place emergency plans.
- put in place business continuity management arrangements.
- maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency.
- share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination.
- co-operate with other local responders to enhance coordination and efficiency.
- provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management.
Redbridge Council have permissive rights under the Land Drainage Act 1999 to ensure watercourses in its area are properly maintained irrespective of ownership.
Our main permissive rights are:
- to ensure all watercourses in its area are maintained to a standard that allows water to flow through them freely
- to inspect all works carried out to or within three metres of a watercourse regardless of its ownership status and insist on any changes needed to protect both upstream and downstream users
Land drainage approval must be applied for if any of the following conditions apply to any works you wish to carry out:
- works that will affect or add flow to any open or piped watercourse
- works to the embankments, ditch bottom or any part of a piped watercourse
- works within 3 metres of any open or piped watercourse
- works to connect new pipes or watercourses to an existing open or piped watercourse
Redbridge does not have a land drainage application form but any formal application for Land Drainage approval should contain:
