Gully Cleaning

Regular cleaning of the road gullys on our highway network is essential to ensure that they efficiently drain water from off the road surface.

You can see the programme for Gully Emptying in your area in the 'Downloads' section below.

What is a Gully?

Road gullies allow water to drain away from roads and pavements. They consist of a gully grating and a gully pot underneath, and are situated at the side of the road by the kerb. The quick and efficient removal of rainwater from the highway is key to ensuring the safety of the road and preventing deterioration from standing water.

How often are Gullies Emptied?

We operate a programme to ensure that all gullies are cleared of leaves, litter, silt and debris at least once a year. In known trouble spots gullies are cleared more frequently.

We also operate an emergency gully clearance service that members of the public can call upon through our contact centre on 08000 514514.

If we go to empty a gully and find that normal practices will not clear it we will find out what the problem is and return with specialist equipment to complete the task.

What are Gloucestershire Highways not Responsible for?

There is often confusion regarding who is responsible for what when it comes to highway drainage. As the highway authority, Gloucestershire Highways is responsible for the drains that enable water to run off roads and pavements. However, ditches on land near the highway are the responsibility of the landowner, although the Highway Authority has the right to discharge rainwater from the highway into these ditches under current legislation.

In addition, water from the highway ends up in the sewage system, which is the responsibility of the relevant sewerage authority.

More Information

Read our Information Sheet about roadside ditches

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