Officers within the Environmental Health Service offer advice and information on all aspects of land drainage and flooding.
During times of severe weather leading to flooding and flood threats we work with the Environment Agency, Derbyshire County Council and other agencies to ensure that our actions are supported at a local level.
The responsibility to maintain and repair the watercourses and culverts within the Borough of High Peak varies depending on the ownership of the land through which the water is flowing.
Owners of land have ‘riparian rights’ – in a nutshell, whoever owns the land is responsible for the free flow of water through it. There should be no obstruction, pollution or diversions affecting the rights of others.
Roads – Derbyshire County Council
Public Sewers – Sewerage Undertakers (Severn Trent Water/United Utilities)
Ordinary Watercourses* - landowners
*An ordinary Watercourse includes every river, stream, ditch, cut, dyke, sluice, and culvert through which water flows and does not form part of a Main River.
The Environment Agency is responsible for the delivery of flood defence warnings in the Borough and generally for overseeing policies on maintenance of Main Rivers. The main rivers in High Peak are the Etherow in Glossop and the Wye in Buxton.
Protection against fly tipping in watercourses is an ongoing problem throughout the District and creates environmental hazards and obstructions to the free flow of water. Although clearing obstructions in watercourses is the responsibility of the relevant landowner, fly tipping can affect many others living nearby. If you are aware of any fly tipping in any watercourse within the Borough then please contact the Borough Council.
If you live in an area that is at risk of flooding, you should ensure that you are prepared to protect your property, as you would against high winds or other natural threats. It is ultimately your responsibility.
If your property is at risk from flooding it is advisable to always keep a supply of sandbags at hand. Details of local sandbag suppliers can be obtained from Derbyshire County Council Emergency Planning Team or by looking in your local Yellow Pages.
During emergencies, Derbyshire County Council Emergency Planning Team, together with Derbyshire Police, will co-ordinate actions as per the Flood Contingency Plan.
We will also be available to provide sandbags where appropriate during an emergency.
Know your role! DON’T WAIT FOR A CRISIS!
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS AT RISK BE PREPARED
If you would like further information on land drainage and flood defence please contact our Customer Services Team on:
0845 129 77 77
In the case of a flooding emergency you can contact:
Derbyshire County Council’s Emergency Planning Team on 01629 585394
OR
High Peak Borough Council on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400
For advice on flood protection visit: www.environment-agency.gov.uk
| High Peak Borough Council out of hours | 01663 752 099 |
|---|---|
| Environment Agency Floodline | 0845 988 1188 |
| Severn Trent Water (as Sewerage Undertakers) | 0800 783 4444 |
| United Utilities (as Sewerage Undertakers) | 0845 746 2200 |
| Derbyshire County Council (as Highway Authority) | 0845 605 8058 |