A joint project between Ealing Council, Thames Water, and the Environment Agency provides vital flood protection for residents of Lammas Park.
The proposed sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) project in Lammas Park, Ealing, will create two new dry ponds/water storage basins and two water channels (known as swales), protecting properties around the park from flooding during heavy rainfall.
As well as protecting against prolonged heavy rain or flash flooding, the ponds will help reduce the pressure on local storm sewers. Rainwater will be stored in the pond and then slowly released into drains. At the moment, the drains can quickly become overwhelmed with water, resulting in an overflow and localised flooding.
The new water channels will connect to an existing swale in the northwest corner of Lammas Park that already receives overflows from the Thames Water storm sewer.
The Lammas Park area has been identified as a Critical Drainage Area in accordance with the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. Up to 2,700 properties are vulnerable to flood risks. The construction of the SuDS will substantially reduce the number of properties exposed to flood risk and reduce the impact of flash flooding.
Work started this month (May) after being initially hampered by heavy spring rainfall that prevented the work from starting earlier in the year as planned. The work is expected to be complete in mid-autumn so residents can benefit from increased flood protection in winter and next spring.
Once the work is complete, the park’s biodiversity and ecology will be boosted. The swales and ponds will be complemented by wetland plants, creating a range of new habitats for wildlife surrounded by new areas of meadow. Ponds can help store carbon through natural processes, and wetland planting will improve the quality of stormwater by providing ecological filtering before it returns to local rivers.
As part of the project, many trees will need to be removed. Any removal will be kept to a minimum, and three new trees will be planted for every tree that is removed. Boulders and logs from trees that are removed will also be used to create natural play areas.
The flood prevention work is expected to be completed by September 2024, with landscaping, meadow planting, and community activities taking place between September 2024 and March 2025.
The park will remain open throughout the work, with some areas fenced off for safety.
For more information about this flood prevention work, visit the Ealing Planning Portal (Reference –232947FUL) or email highwayservices@ealing.gov.uk with any questions.
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