RAINWATER MANAGEMENT
pollution, is not legally enforced – the dataset is limited to the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and research initiatives from the Environment Agency and National Highways due to this. While this work provides welcome insight, and from the latter, the Highways England Water Risk Assessment Tool, research is expensive, and legal enforcement would widen the dataset significantly.
The difficulty faced with monitoring regarding resources and regulations reflects a wider problem for solving road runoff. Rolling out sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and maintaining them requires both funding and a skilled workforce – at present, there are questions about the availability of either. Legal enforcement could solve the funding issue, but participants argued that current regulations are lacking. Too many regulations, not enough of the right kind of regulation, a lack of enforcement; many agreed this area holds the key to unlocking a national roll-out of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).
SuDS and solutions While there are several challenges to overcome, treating road runoff is not an insurmountable task. We have the tools at our disposal already – SuDS exist, and are being implemented in Scotland and Wales to great effect.
With Schedule 3 – which makes SuDS mandatory for new developments over 100m2 – expected to come into force in England
soon, implementing SuDS and solutions will soon be a priority.
To mitigate the impact of this, our industry must be prepared. For much of the construction and civil engineering industry, the supply chain is an untapped resource, engaged after specification when a design is already finalised. The importance of collaboration was perhaps the most essential takeaway from the roundtable – solving road runoff pollution is impossible without it.
The expertise in the supply chain and its ability to innovate, finding new, improved solutions can’t be ignored. Builders merchants
September 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
are in a unique position to facilitate the necessary relationship between manufacturers and designers – with the right technical expertise, early engagement and collaboration can make implementing solutions like SuDS straightforward. We’re in a position to drive real change as an industry – by taking the initiative now, we will be ready and prepared with the answers as questions mount, and pressure rises. BMJ
• For more insights on road runoff, read the full whitepaper at https://
www.whitepaperkeyline.co.uk/
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
