Highway Drainage - Design Guide

1.

Initial Design

Form base mapping establish extent of catchments crossing the highway. Based on the
preliminary vertical alignment (VA) establish location of low points.

Examine potential outfalls, soakaways, rivers and other water courses

If watercourses are to be used, assess allowable discharge by Flood Estimation Handbook

(FEH) method (Institute of Hydrology) and discussion with Environment Agency (EA).
Assess the need for attenuation and balancing ponds

Does VA allow sufficient height for culverts and to allow drainage to discharge to
watercourses including balancing pond where required?

Is pumping required at any point?

Check if underbridges/culverts will interrupt drain runs.

Where the road crosses a flood plain assess impact in accordance with HA71/95. Assess
the need for flood culverts and flood relief areas.

Agree pollution control requirements with the EA. Environmental assessment as Design
Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), Volume II, Part 10 may be required.

Determine outline land purchase and easement requirements

2.

Area and Pre Earthworks Drainage

Design flood plain measures and agree with the EA

Size "Main River" culverts and design river diversions

Identify minor watercourses and ditches crossing the road. Decide whether to provide a
culvert or divert. Size the culverts.

Design cut off ditches at toe of embankments and top of cuttings.

Incorporate agreed environmental and ecological measures.

Obtain Land Drainage Consents from EA.

3.

Highway Drainage

Select drainage system based on HD 33/96.

Model individual catchment drainage systems.

Allow for groundwater inflows and cutting face run off.

Use drainage model to confirm discharge rates and size balancing ponds to the storm
return periods agreed with the EA.

Detail balancing ponds incorporating agreed ecological measures.

Obtain Consents.

E:\Hyder Files\HYDER2\Drainage Design Outline Guide.doc

Highway Drainage - Design Guide (continued)

4.

Pollution Control

Finalise agreement with the EA on pollution protection requirements.

Design interceptors, pollution containment etc.

Obtain Consents.

E:\Hyder Files\HYDER2\Drainage Design Outline Guide.doc