Image description: Blue car sharply turning, spraying mud and water. Photo by Nikky Almon / Pexels.

Data obtained by ENDS through Freedom of Information legislation has revealed the locations of outfalls which are classed in the National Highway’s Water Quality Plan as having a potentially ‘high risk’ or ‘very high risk’ of channelling polluted run-off from major roads into waterways.

Highways run-off has been shown to contain a broad spectrum of highly polluting substances, from suspended solids, microplastics, toxic organic compounds and toxic metals.

The data reveals that the M6 has by far the highest number of ‘high risk’ and ‘very high risk’ outfalls, standing at 163.

The news follows on from ENDS previous report that more than 250 of the high risk outfalls identified in National Highways are located within striking distance – 500m – of protected sites.

Dr Richard Benwell, chief executive of the Wildlife and Countryside Link told ENDS “Chemical pollution is just as much of a scandal in the UK’s waters as sewage – and needs just as much attention”. A National Highways spokesperson commented the organisation is “committed to reducing the risk of pollution from road run-off by addressing our high-risk water outfalls by 2030 and our Water Quality Plan sets out a high-level programme of work to achieve this”.