Land Drainage Reference Plan

The attached drawing has been produced utilising relevant Ordnance Survey, Environment Agency and Redditch Borough Council (RBC) records.

Main Rivers

The main rivers (Red Lines) are so designated by the Environment Agency (EA) and comprise of: -

• River Arrow
• Shell Brook (The Wharrage, Wixon, Swan’s & Bow Brooks)

where they pass through the Borough. The term main river also includes any structure in the bed or bank of the watercourse that controls or regulates the flow into or out of a main river.

The EA has permissive (not mandatory) powers to carry out maintenance and improvement works on main rivers. The Midlands Region of the EA also has Land Drainage Byelaws that require persons to obtain consent for activities in or adjacent to main rivers and their floodplains.

Ordinary Watercourses

The term ordinary watercourse (Blue Lines) describes all other natural watercourses. The EA has certain regulatory powers, but has no powers to carry out works on ordinary watercourses. RBC has powers relating to flood prevention, maintenance of flow and the making of Byelaws on such watercourses.

Under Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991, any proposals to construct or alter any mill dam or weir or similar obstruction to flow require EA consent. The erection of or alteration to a culvert likely to affect the flow also requires EA consent.

In addition to Land Drainage Consent (EA), proposals may also require RBC approval as Local Drainage Authority and customers are encouraged to seek our advice in the first instance.

Reporting of Problems

If members of the public are aware of any potential problems these can be reported to us either by phone, e-mail or personal visit. To assist us in dealing with your enquiries, it would be helpful if you could give us the name of the watercourse concerned (where applicable) together with any details of any other useful physical reference points.

All ordinary watercourses are subject to a regular cyclic maintenance program based upon our experience with particular emphasis on flood prevention. The frequency of visits reflects upon a locations susceptibility to cause flooding.

Related Documents

Redditch Water Courses