REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM THE HIGHWAYS AGENCY UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS

Dear Mr Hutchinson

I am writing regarding your request for information, received originally on 18 February 2010. This was:

Please disclose under the FOI Act:

Dear Highways Agency,

I shall be grateful if you will send me e-links to the Policy, documents and advice/instructions to Local Authorities and water companies for dealing with salt-water run-off into land drainage schemes and sewerage systems.

Your request is being handled under the Environmental Information Regulations; this is because the information relates to activities which impact upon the environment.

Regarding your query the Highways Agency has no specific policy or instruction for local authorities or water companies to deal with salt-water run off into land drainage schemes or sewerage systems.

The Highways Agency is responsible for the motorway and trunk road network in England and the drainage system for this network is separate from other types of drainage systems. Highway discharges are either to a receiving watercourse via an outfall or to ground via a soakaway. Under existing legislation the Highways Agency has a right to discharge its runoff without any need for a consent under the powers of the Highways Act (1980), but must otherwise comply with the requirements of the Water Resources Act (1991). It is very rare that HA drainage would discharge into a third party system such as a `land drainage scheme' or sewerage system. In such a situation the HA would need to seek the consent of the third party and meet any consent and/or bye-law requirements. The Environment Agency (Land Drainage Schemes) and Water UK (representative body for UK water and waste water service providers) will be better placed to help you with this matter and I suggest that you contact them directly.

If you are unhappy with the way we have handled your request, you may ask for an internal review. A leaflet detailing our internal review process is available. If you require a copy, please phone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30; or e-mail [Highways Agency request email]. You should contact me if you wish to complain.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Michael Whitehead

NSD TSD Environment

Email: [email address]

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