Get National Highways to clean up its act

We all know our rivers are polluted. However, it’s not just from sewage, or due to the inaction of failing water companies. What is less talked about is road runoff. Every time it rains, a toxic brew of oil, particulate matter, and microplastics from tyre and brake wear is washed off the roads and into our watercourses. Yet National Highways is failing to tackle this problem on our busiest and most polluted roads.

Research by Stormwater Shepherds and Watershed Investigations found that National Highways is responsible for 25,000 road outfalls and soakaways which pour this heavily polluted water directly into our rivers and groundwater. This can be into some of our most precious habitats. Yet, despite identifying 1,236 “high risk” outfalls and soakaways, National Highways is now only proposing to tackle just 182 (less than 15%) of those at high risk before 2030 - less than one per cent of the total. This is not good enough.

With regulators like the Environment Agency and the Office of Rail and Road looking the other way, it seems only public outrage will lead to change. As the government is currently drawing up National Highways’ next 5-year budget it’s the perfect time to show how important this issue is.

Not a single river in England is in good overall health

National Highways cannot be allowed to pretend most outfalls are not a problem, or that it only needs to treat a tiny proportion of them. All are leaching heavy metals and carcinogens into our rivers and groundwater. Unlike sewage, these chemicals will be around 'forever'.

Please write to your MP and ask them to demand the government take action on this issue. Just put your name, address and email in the ‘Take Action’ panel, then click the ‘Start Writing’ button to send a letter. You can edit the suggested text as you see fit. When you’re ready, hit ‘Send Letter’. The whole process should take less than a minute.

Many thanks,

Becca, Chris & Nisha

Transport Action Network