Flooding

The ditches and watercourses in the Parish play a vital role in managing street and land water runoff, particularly during localised flooding.

Responsibilities of Landowners:

• All residents are encouraged to maintain watercourses for which they are responsible.
• If a ditch borders your property, you and the neighboring landowner share riparian ownership and joint responsibility for maintaining it—even if a fence separates your property from the ditch.
• If the opposite side of the ditch is Crown land, you are solely responsible for its maintenance.
• Even if a ditch appears dry, you must keep it free of debris and obstructions.

More Information:

• 🔗 Living on the Edge – Environment Agency Guide to Riparian Ownership

Altering a Watercourse:

• You must obtain prior permission from the Environment Agency before altering a watercourse (e.g., extending property over a ditch) to ensure that the natural water flow is not disrupted.