Committee publication · Correspondence · 22 October 2025
Letter from the Under Secretary of State for Water and Flooding relating to Highway runoff and water pollution, dated 9 October 2025
Summary
Emma Hardy, Under Secretary of State for Water and Flooding, responds to the Environmental Audit Committee's concerns about highway runoff and water pollution. The government acknowledges the Independent Water Commission's recommendation for stronger pollution oversight and commits to exploring regional/catchment-based management approaches, including potential legislative changes to 'pre-pipe' drainage solutions and sustainable drainage requirements. The letter also updates on Euro 7 emissions standards and UK-UN work on tyre abrasion limits.
Key findings
- Government considers regional/catchment-based approaches to managing highway runoff and urban diffuse pollution, following Independent Water Commission recommendations
- Considering legislative changes to 'pre-pipe' solutions, including review of drainage responsibilities and possible legal requirement for sustainable drainage
- Full government response to Independent Water Commission will be published via White Paper for consultation
- Euro 7 emissions standard adoption: EU implementation from November 2026; Department for Transport consulting on Great Britain options later in 2025
- UK co-chairing UN task force (with European Commission) to develop regulation limiting tyre abrasion rates, reducing microplastics and supporting Euro 7 standard
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Emma Hardy MP, Toby Perkins MP, Independent Water Commission, Secretary of State, Department for Transport, European Commission, Highways Authorities, Water regulator
Notable line
“… government should consider legislative changes to drive a more coherent approach to 'pre - pipe' soluti ons to stop rainwater entering the system.”
Key Quotes
“Following this recommendation, the Secretary of State committed to including a regional element in the water regulator.”
“We are considering how road or highway run-off and urban diffuse pollution can be managed at a regional or local level as part of moving to a catchment-based approach to managing water.”
“It could also include considering whether a introducing a legal requirement to consider sustainable drainage solutions is necessary.”
“This regulation will establish legally binding limits for the maximum abrasion rate of new tyres being sold within countries applying the regulation.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗