Internal Drainage Boards
Introduction
 |
Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) are independent bodies responsible for land drainage in areas of special drainage need that extends to 1.2 million hectares of lowland England. They are long established bodies operating predominently under the Land Drainage Act 1991 and have permissive powers to undertake works to secure drainage and water level management of their districts. They may also undertake flood defence works on ordinary watercourses within their district (that is, watercourses other than 'main river').
Much of their work involves the improvement and maintenance of rivers, drainage channels and pumping stations. There are now some 170 in England and Wales, concentrated in East Anglia, Yorkshire, Somerset and Lincolnshire. Internal Drainage Board membership includes elected members representing the occupiers of the land in the district and members nominated by local authorities to represent other interests.
Useful Links
- Association of Drainage Authorities - membership organisation for those involved in water level management, including IDBs
- Country Land and Business Association - organisation for owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales
- National Farmers' Union
Page last
modified: 10 December 2007
Page published: 10 December 2007