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Yellow Heat Health Alert

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a Yellow Heat Health Alert for the West Midlands from 12pm on 4 July to 8pm on 11 July 2026. These alerts are a reminder for everyone to take extra care during the hot weather and to look out for those who may need additional support. For advice on staying cool, signs of heat exhaustion, swimming safely outdoors, fire safety, and more: Summer wellbeing

Dudley Council
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Retaining walls

The Borough of Dudley has many miles of identified retaining wall whose purpose is to support the Highway network.

There are also many miles of retaining walls to which the ownership is unclear and, in these cases, each wall needs to be checked individually.

Responsibility

Responsibility for the retaining wall depends on who built it and for what purpose. Unless modern records are available to indicate definite responsibility, it is necessary to determine for whose enjoyment or benefit the wall was built.

Generally, the walls and fences that surround property and fields are erected and maintained by the land owner. They are erected to provide security, privacy and to mark boundaries between different landowners.

  • Retaining walls supporting the highway. As the local highway authority we are usually liable to maintain the walls which are beneath the level of the highway and are necessary to support the highway. The usual exemption would be where a wall has been built for the benefit of the adjoining landowners. 

  • Walls retaining land above the highway. These walls are normally the responsibility of the adjoining landowner.

  • Boundary Walls. Responsibility for keeping these in good order normally resides with the adjoining landowner.

  • Parapet Walls (Edge Protection) on Bridges. These walls invariably form part of the bridge or wall that supports them, so responsibility lies with the owner of the rest of the structure.