Zero-maintenance rural surface water management with 20-year performance guarantee
Grip drains are shallow channels cut across roadside verges to redirect surface water into adjacent ditches. With approximately 313,500 miles of rural roads in the UK and over 300 million individual grip drains across the national network, maintenance represents a significant ongoing cost and labour burden for local authorities.
Engineered for zero intervention over 20+ years, eliminating annual cleaning and re-trenching cycles that absorb seasonal budgets.
ASTM D5101 tested under heavy sediment loads with china clay and silty sand, maintaining consistent permeability and self-cleansing flow paths.
76% reduction in lifecycle costs compared to traditional grip maintenance, delivering £3,375 annual savings per 1km of rural road network.
Testing based on ASTM D5101 standards demonstrates exceptional performance under real-world conditions
Water continued to pass through despite visible particle migration, indicating robust self-cleansing flow paths that maintain performance over time.
The unit maintained consistent permeability even under heavy silt loads, reinforcing its suitability for minimal or zero maintenance applications.
Independent analysis confirms the RDS system remains permeable and functional, supporting the 20+ year performance guarantee.
Comprehensive financial comparison demonstrates significant long-term savings over traditional grip drain maintenance cycles
| Cost Component | Traditional Grips (per 1km) | RDS 100mm Unit (per 1km) | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cleaning | £3,000/year | £0 | £3,000 |
| Re-trenching (5-year cycle) | £1,200/year (amortised) | £0 | £1,200 |
| Installation/Material Cost | - | £975/year (amortised over 20 years) | - |
| Total Annual Cost | £4,200 | £975 | £3,375 (76% reduction) |
Local authorities across the UK typically maintain verge grip drains to manage runoff and reduce flood risk:
While deep re-cutting (re-trenching) is typically carried out every 5-10 years, surface-level clearance of grips is often performed annually, placing significant strain on rural highways budgets.
RDS 100mm unit engineered for optimal performance in rural drainage applications
Discover how RDS Grip Drain can deliver 76% cost savings and eliminate maintenance burdens for your rural road network.