Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Water Act 2014

Section 63: Repeal of certain provisions about culverts

226.This section repeals sections 262 and 263 of the Public Health Act 1936.

227.Section 262 of the Public Health Act 1936 gives local authorities power to require the culverting of watercourses and ditches where building operations are proposed. Section 262 was introduced to allow watercourses to be covered so that they did not cause health problems. The approach now is to address the pollution and not cover up the watercourse. In addition the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Body for Wales discourage culverting as it is not consistent with good surface run-off.

228.Under section 263 watercourses in urban districts may not be culverted except in accordance with plans approved by the local authority.

229.Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 and section 109 of the WRA require that owners/occupiers who wish to erect or alter any mill dam, weir or other like obstruction to a watercourse, or erect or alter any culvert must seek the prior consent from either the Lead Local Flood Authority, the relevant internal drainage board, the Environment Agency or the Natural Resources Body for Wales depending on the location of the proposed works. In combination with section 263 of the Public Health Act 1936 these provisions require that owner/occupiers apply for parallel consents from a number of bodies. Section 263 of the Public Health Act 1936 is being repealed in order to remove the requirement for parallel consents.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:

  • Why the government is proposing to intervene;
  • The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
  • How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
  • The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.