School Flood Defence in Waltham Forest Through Rain Garden Planting

In response to the significant flooding experienced during the summer of 2021, Waltham Forest - in collaboration with Thames Water, the Department for Education, and local residents - embarked on a transformative project to develop a scheme that will help reduce the risk in flood-prone areas, and help protect local homes, schools and businesses.

Given that Brooke Road emerged as one of the most severely affected locations, the Council has prioritised this area for additional investment. The overarching goal was to address issues stemming from heavy rainfall, alleviate pressure on Thames Water's drainage systems, reduce risks to residential properties and St Mary’s School, and enhance overall biodiversity.

Thanks to collaborative funding, the project unfolded with plans encompassing the installation of Rain Gardens along Brooke Road, underground water attenuation and storage cells, permeable road construction, and the active involvement of St Mary’s School through their 'SuDS in Schools' initiative.

• Rain Gardens Installation: Along the carriageway on Brooke Road, Rain Gardens were strategically installed to manage rainwater run-off from hard surfaces. These rain gardens involved the planting of attractive, low-maintenance, and wildlife-friendly flora, contributing significantly to biodiversity enhancement.

• Underground Water Attenuation and Storage Tanks: Beneath the road surface on Brooke Road, from St Mary’s School to the junction with Oliver Road, water attenuation and storage cells were installed. These underground tanks, equipped with permeable carriageway surfacing material or drainage slots, served to slow the flow of water into Thames Water’s drainage system. This not only relieved pressure during intense rainfall but also prevented drains from overflowing and causing flooding.

• Permeable Road Construction: Certain sections of Brooke Road now feature permeable surfaces designed to absorb rainwater. This innovative approach serves as temporary storage, preventing overflow.

• St Mary’s School Support: Actively participating in the SuDS initiative, St Mary’s School harvests rainwater through rain planters, reinforcing sustainability.

• Community Support: Thames Water and Waltham Forest Council are collaborating to fund a local representative for at least one year, integrating them into the National Flood Forum, an independent charity dedicated to supporting individuals and communities at risk of flooding. The representative's role includes assisting in the development of a Community Flood Plan and organising self-sustainable community-based support networks in emergencies.

In total, we planted four Rain Gardens, part of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), covering an area of 111 m2 with over 750 plants, a project made possible with the enthusiastic assistance of St Mary’s School children.

We carefully chose plant species like Crocosmia, Salvias, Geums, Tecruim, Hebe, and Cornus Midwinter fire from our exclusive list, creating a diverse and resilient green landscape.

Strategically placed near the school, these rain gardens limit car access and create a secure, green barrier between the road and the school pavement. This design, along with school street timings on nearby roads, helps make the area safer and less polluted.

The rain gardens are part of a broader sustainable plan, featuring attenuation and fast-draining porous asphalt for effective stormwater management and environmentally conscious urban planning.

A key highlight was a planting day with 30 children from St Mary's School. With gloves and trowels, they actively planted a section of the rain gardens after a brief talk on the benefits of green projects. These sessions fostered ownership and enthusiasm, with positive feedback from both the children and teachers, highlighting the success of our collaborative efforts in creating a sustainable and vibrant community landscape.