200yr old drainage - or lack of - Rainwater cascading down rockface

[loupielou]

Hi - newbie house owner and newbie online - please bear with me. I live in a small Welsh stone cottage (mid terrace) - approx 200yrs old. No damp course or anything like that. Behind the cottage is a small yard - with 'integral' soak away -the whole area is built on slate and water cascades down a rockface behind - drained from road and land above the rockface, and settles in the yard behind my house. In heavy rain the level of the water rises above the yard 'floor' and is getting closer to the level of my back door. My yard is about a foot lower than my neighbours back yard. He has a drain built into his concreted back yard and there is a step of about 8inches from this down to mine.His drain frequently gets covered in leaves from trees which grow on the land above the rock (as does the 'yard' behind my place) I make sure his drain is uncovered otherwise surplus water runs onto 'my' area and my problem (eventually got to it, sorry) is that Im afraid ive exacerbated the drainage problem by laying some gravel in my back yard area in an attempt to aid drainage. I tried boring down but came in contact with solid slate so thoutht the gravel would help - however falling leaves and debris have beaten me this year and i fear the drainage is 'silting up' (technical term - not!) How can I either 'clean up' the slate 'base' soakaway or put something else in place? I have little funds available - any idea whether the council/water board shoud be responsible for ensuring that the water from the road above (and hill above) does not endanger my property? Clutching at straws here guys, Any help/advice will be gratefully received.
Thanks for reading this anyway - sorry it's garbled. :p

[local patios and driveway]

Surely the council has to make sure water from roadways is dispearsed in a correct manner? On the flip side you have to if you are constructing a driveway.

[seanandruby]

Welcome, you need to speak to your local authority and also your neighbour to come up with a solution. I would of thought one way, or t'other you will have to introduce some decent drainage on your property, sorry to say: it's never cheap but a necessity. Is there anyway you can drain the water off the property. Photo's would be a big help, if you could post some up.

[loupielou]

Hey - thanks to both for replying (such an old cynic didn't think anyone would!) I'll try and 'upload' some photos to see if it clarifys things - it is quite a complecated arrangement - Wales you see! The road kind of goes round in a 'helter skelter' fashion and I'm on the 'bottom bit', neighbour has utilised land at the back and done some 'landscaping', up to top of rock, where road goes......and above road is another row of houses - another thing I didnt mention was the rock at the back of my house appears to suffering fromthe water too - is splitting and 'chunks' can be pulled out - guess water then freezing temps in the winter does it's stuff.
Seriously don'thave any money - just buying double glazing etc and it's clearedmeout - guess I may have spent on the wrong stuff. If I contact local council and they say x needs to be done can they 'sue' me if I can't do it straight away? I'm also just thinking that as there's at least 5 house owners this wall affects in some way we could share the costs (and maybe get help fromthe council as water has to pass under their road????-still clutching at straws!)
You've made me think clearer anyhow,so many thanks - as for the site it'saterrible time waster - I have spent hours reading through stuff - !!!!!who knows,one day I may be able to offer someone a bit of advice - definately direct them to here anyway!!
:O