Piped watercourses and culverts
Generally, these are the responsibility of the landowner (known as the riparian owner).
If a watercourse or ditch in a highway has been piped, it usually remains the responsibility of the adjoining landowners unless the piping was done at the request of the highway authority to make the road wider, safer, or more convenient.
When the Highway Authority Is Liable
- If the highway authority requested the piping, they must have the ditch owner’s consent.
- Evidence of this consent is proof of the highway authority’s liability.
This rule applies to all pipes, whether they cross a highway or run along it.
The same duties, responsibilities, and rights apply to piped watercourses and culverts as to open ditches.
More information on water course responsibilities and the County Council's role in regulating these systems can be found in our Flood Risk Management web pages.
