Flooding is everybody’s responsibility. Below is an extract from Objective 4 – Watercourse Maintenance Responsibilities in the RBWM Draft Flood Risk Management Strategy:
RBWM unanimously passed a motion* in Full Council on 11 March 2024 to ensure land drainage infrastructure is maintained as lack of maintenance or unconsented changes to watercourses can have a significant impact on localised flood risk. Many residents are not aware of their responsibilities as a landowner or occupier and the relevant legislation and powers to prevent an increase in risk.
The draft document goes on to say: Watercourses make up a significant proportion of the land drainage network across the borough however, in most cases, the council is not responsible for maintaining them. Instead, this responsibility sits with landowner or occupier, under the Land Drainage Act 1991. The council instead can use its powers, as a Lead Local Flood Authority, to ensure residents maintain, or do not alter, ordinary watercourses. When the council use these powers should be laid out in a clear enforcement policy. A joined-up approach is also required however as the Environment Agency are the relevant enforcement body for any issues relating to main rivers.
*On the proposition of Councillor Larcombe, Ward Councillor for Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and seconded by Councillor Werner it was RESOLVED unanimously that this council takes immediate action to ensure that the probability of flooding is minimised by ensuring that land drainage infrastructure is
maintained in a condition fit-for-purpose.