The Environment Agency has published new guidance for ‘main river’ Riparian landowners – ‘main rivers’ differ from other watercourses in that the EA is responsible for maintenance, improvement or construction work on ‘main rivers’ to manage flood defence, whereas lead local flood authorities, district councils and internal drainage boards carry out flood risk management work on ‘ordinary watercourses’.

The Deben is classed as a ‘main river’ for most of its length – the Statutory Main River Map shows all ‘main rivers’ in dark blue, and other watercourses in turquoise.