Waterside living guide for county

Home owners in Gloucestershire with water, such as streams, flowing through their gardens are reminded that they may be responsible for its maintenance.

The council has produced a guide for people who have watercourses running through their properties.

"Waterside Living in Gloucestershire" offers advice on rubbish tipping and how not to obstruct the flow of water.

The guide applies to ordinary watercourses and not main rivers which are managed by the Environment Agency.

'Rights and responsibilities'

Councillor Stan Waddington, of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "All riparian owners [someone who owns a property with a watercourse] will find this leaflet a useful guide as to their rights and responsibilities, although they should not take it as a complete statement of the law.

"It includes advice to anyone who has a stream at the bottom of their garden - like don't obstruct the flow of water, don't tip rubbish into it and don't build a patio or deck over the river channel that might cause an obstruction."

People who are not sure whether they are a riparian owner of the watercourse running through their land are advised to check the title deeds of their property.

The guide has been produced by Gloucestershire County Council, all of the county's six district councils, the Environment Agency and the Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board.