Our responsibilities
We're the lead local flood authority for Rochdale borough.
When there's a local flood, we're responsible for:
- Removing water from public roads and footpaths.
- Ensuring public roads and footpaths are safe to be used following a flood, including moving debris.
- Investigating and publishing reports on significant floods.
- Ensuring new buildings are built with correct drains which don't increase the risks of floods.
- Managing road drainage.
- Setting up an evacuation centre if there's severe flooding.
- Constructing a temporary flood barrier, when necessary.
- Closing roads we think are too unsafe to use during a flood.
What we're not responsible for
When there's flooding, we're not responsible for:
- Sandbags. It is not our responsibility to provide sandbags. You can buy unfilled sandbags and a supply of sand from most DIY stores and builders merchants.
- Protecting private property from flooding. You're responsible for looking after your own property, including reducing the risks of water entering it and of causing damage. Therefore, it's important you're aware of your flood risk and take measures to better protect your property, where appropriate. The drainage pipes located beneath your house, garden or driveway belong to you and are your responsibility. These stop being your responsibility the moment they reach outside the boundary of your property or connect to pipes serving another property. So if there’s a problem with a private drain or sewer, it’s up to you to pay for an independent drain clearing company to carry out any clearance work. If you're uncertain about any of these responsibilities or need some advice contact your water company.
- Managing the flood risk from some areas of the main river.
- Managing flood risks from burst water mains or sewers. United Utilities is responsible for this.
- Managing and draining water on the M62 motorway. The Highways Agency is responsible for this.