A to Z of services

Watercourses

There are three types of watercourse in Pendle:

1. Main rivers - this includes rivers and watercourses that form part of the main drainage network.
2. Critical ordinary watercourses - watercourses which are not classified as "main river" but which the Council has agreed with the Environment Agency (external link) to be critical because they have the potential to put at risk from flooding large numbers of people or property.
3. Ordinary watercourses - watercourses other than main rivers (eg minor ditches and streams).

The Environment Agency is responsible for the first two and Pendle Council has permissive powers for the third.

However, Pendle Council has contracts with the Environment Agency (both North West and North East regions) to maintain critical ordinary watercourses on their behalf.

In Pendle, there are approximately 19.6km of critical ordinary watercourses (10.8km of open watercourses and 8.8km of culverted watercourses) and 540km of ordinary watercourses.

An individual living next to any type of watercourse will have rights and responsibilities. The most important responsibility is to ensure that the flow of water is not prevented. If it is suspected that an individual is encroaching on or blocking a watercourse, the Council may take enforcement action requiring the channel to be cleared and maintained.

Flooding

• Information on flooding and sandbag use

If you wish to request sandbags or to have existing ones taken away, please download and complete a form or telephone Engineering and Special Projects on either 01282 661066 or 01282 661067

Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188 (24 hour service) or Type Talk 0845 602 6348