North Scarle Flooding - Find a freedom of information request

North Scarle Flooding.

Following the events of the winter Storms Babet and Henk, the Village of North Scarle was particularly badly affected.

The repercussions of these events are enormous and one response to this is the formation of the North Scarle Flood Forum. A residents-based group looking to engage with all local agencies providing a communication conduit for the village and working with those agencies to determine a plan to ensure that this never happened again.

As you will appreciate events of the magnitude recently experienced generate several questions when focus is applied to specific items.

One very specific question that has arisen relates to the number of roadside drains taking surface water away. Their location and their regular maintenance.

I am therefore seeking Clarity as to the position and maintenance programmes of these drains. Specifically,

1) Are all road and kerb drain the responsibility of the Highways Department?

2) What planned maintenance and clearance schedules exist for them?

3) Does this maintenance schedule extend to any water course culverts that flow beneath the public highway?

4) Do you hold or could you please advise where we might find any maps or details regarding the location of any road drains for the village?

1. all roads and kerb drains referred to in this FOI are under the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) as Highway Authority.

2. Drains are cleared in line with LCC’s Policy - https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directory-record/61685/highways-infrastructure-asset-management-plan

3. Full cleansing of extended drainage system to outfall is not included as standard on routine maintenance.

4. Please see attached attached a PDF plan that shows LCC’s current mapping system for the village, this map is not definitive and should only be used as a guide. When undertaking drainage works or to aid investigations LCC would undertake a thorough drainage investigation at the location.

The use of defect can cover varies minor issues such as cracked/broken grates or lids, broken brickwork in the gully or chamber, or in some cases a suspected broken or damaged connection. These assets are the ones that can be followed up for further works as and when possible with our minor maintenance gangs. It does not always mean the asset is not working, although sometimes this can be the case.

Other colours show other issues such as “vehicle over” or “jammed lid”, but these are self explanatory.