Whose responsibility is this gulley?

TomsMom

The gulley between my utility room (serves washing machine and two sinks only) and the main sewer in the pedestrian lane outside my house has collapsed and everything points to the damage being caused by a sub-contractor relaying a larger gas pipe on behalf of British Gas. A mini digger was used to dig the trench and a whacker plate was used when the trench was filled in. There had never been any problem with drainage before but since the work has been done the drain blocks when the washing machine discharges. I've put a claim in to the sub contractor who want evidence in the form of CCTV footage/photos, a written report and estimates for repair.

The water company sent someone along, took a CCTV picture which shows the partially collapsed gulley. The technician said in his opinion the damage was caused by the work carried out on the gas pipe. The water company wont put this in writing though as they say it's "his opinion" and "speculation". So all I have to pass on to the sub-contractor at the moment is the photo from the CCTV.

There are also leakage/wet patches showing on the tarmac both uphill and downhill from my property around and either side of the trench scar. The water company seem to attribute the uphill ones to the blockage when my washing machine discharges. I've told them about the downhill ones and that I don't want that coming back on to me at a later date (in the case of having to go through my insurance company) and hopefully they're sending someone out this week to look at those.

The water company have told me it is a private gulley and my responsibility. The plan they have sent along with the photo actually shows my house and the house attached to me as one property. The properties were built around 1850 so they're old clay drainage pipes and it's possible that originally it was just one property and at some stage it was divided and has been two dwellings for many many years.

I've pointed out to the water company that their plan is wrong and that it's two properties and I've asked them if the other property shares the same gulley as only the main sewer is shown on the map, not the gulley between my house and the sewer. They say their plans do not show any gullies, only main sewers, and that the gulley is my responsibility either solely or jointly with my neighbour and I should "get a plumber out to ascertain whether the neighbour's waste water discharges into the gulley".

There's no indication above ground where the neighbour's waste water goes other than into a small stack pipe (less then 2' high) which then goes into the ground.

Does anyone know how I can find out if this gulley is actually private, where I could possibly go for plans showing it, or offer any advice?

TomsMom

Giving this a bump in case there's anyone around at the moment who can help.