SuDS and highways - are we nearly there yet?

With so much of our towns and cities made up of roads and highways there is growing evidence linking polluted watercourses to runoff from highways. There is also growing evidence around the impact of intense rainfall on our impermeable road network that can shed polluted runoff. With climate change and urbanisation these problems are only likely to get worse.

However, integrating SuDS into our developments, roads and highways provides exciting opportunities to better manage the risks associated with runoff. High-quality SuDS along highways can also contribute to improvements to biodiversity, amenity, air quality and our general quality of life.

Despite these benefits the integration of SuDS with highways is yet to become common practice. This susdrain webinar, predominantly presented by those working in Council highways departments outlined the opportunities to manage surface water better from and along our highways.

Further information

The following links can be used to access further information referred to during the course of the presentations given at this webinar:

The design manual for roads and bridges (DMRB)
Adoption of new roads - guidance for developers on standards requirements for Lincolnshire County Council in construction new estate roads and footpaths
Designing rain gardens:  A practical guide
Urban wetland design guide

The following CIRIA publications were also referenced during the webinar:

The SuDS Manual - this manual can be downloaded free of charge
Structural and geotechnical design of modular geocellular drainage systems