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M62 - Your Local History
A lot of finds were uncovered during the archaeological evaluation carried out for the M62 Junction 6 Improvement scheme so we thought it would be nice to provide an interactive website so you can see what we found.
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Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
Quick Links
Don't Cross or Walk Along Motorways
The Highways Agency aims to make more people aware of the dangers of walking or crossing our motorway. We have launched a poster and radio campaign aimed at 16-25yr olds. Hopefully with our hard hitting posters, our message will come across.
Educating tomorrow's drivers
See how we are driving through key messages about safety on our network for the drivers of tomorrow.
Meet the Ancestors
Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
See when traffic will be lightest
Our traffic forecaster can help get you there quicker
Water Quality and Drainage
Water Quality and Drainage
Dealing with Water Quality and Flood Risk within the Highways Agency
The Highways Agency has sole responsibility and powers for managing the quantity and quality of road runoff that is collected within the Highways Agency Network. This means that the HA must ensure that;
- Road projects do not increase flood risk;
- Highway discharges do not pollute receiving waterbodies.
In meeting these requirements the HA has developed environmental assessment tools and policy guidance, in consultation with the Environment Agency, for flood risk and pollution risk for road projects ( ReF HD 45/ DMRB Vol. 11). Within each proposed Highways Agency project the water environment is considered within the environmental impact assessment (EIA) . Where a potential pollution and/or flood risk is identified as part of an EIA this is used to inform the drainage design in order that any risks are appropriately mitigated.
In support of its statutory duties the Highways Agency continues to identify and implement practical steps to manage the risks to the water environment from the road network in response to Government policy and improved knowledge. In particular the HA has a forward programme of works aimed at installing treatment or containment measures at existing outfall sites that have been identified as posing a potential pollution risk. Similar programmes of work are being developed for discharges to ground and locations vulnerable to flooding.
Water is vital for all living plants and animals. For human beings it is not only essential to life but also of crucial importance in industry and agriculture, as a means of transport and for recreation. Water which runs off roads can potentially have an impact on the quality of receiving surface waters and groundwater and/or influence the occurrence of local flooding
Road Drainage
Well designed and well maintained road drainage is important in order to;
- Minimise the environmental impact of road runoff on the receiving water environment
- Ensure the speedy removal of surface water to enhance safety and minimise disruption to road users.
- Maximise the longevity of the road surface and associated infrastructures
There are many different types of drainage systems with different design features and attributes that can be used to attenuate flows and treat water quality. Drainage which is needed on the Highways Agency network depends not just on any flood risks and pollution risks identified but the characteristics of the natural catchment in which the network is based. The size, shape, gradient and geology of a catchment are all factors which can influence the type of drainage methods used.
Older roads tend not to have the more developed drainage systems. New roads are now designed to include drainage systems intended to channel and attenuate excess water from the network to prevent flooding as well as provide pollution treatment. The HA has for many years used Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) on its road network. Not all SUDS however are suitable for use on the HA's road network and the HA has developed guidance on selection design, construction and maintenance of those drainage systems that are used on its network (REF DMRB Vol. 4).
Some of the different drainage methods used on the Highways Agency network include:
- Soakaways
- Balancing ponds
- Surface flow wetlands
- Grassed surface water channels
- Filter drains
- Surface water channels
- Kerbs and gullies
To ensure blockages are prevented and systems perform effectively a maintenance regime is required that is appropriate for the type of systems in use.
