Richmond Council has introduced its first flood-resilient street as part of a major new initiative to combat the growing threat of flooding linked to climate change.

Kitson Road in Barnes is now home to the borough's first fully permeable public street, using specially designed paving and underground infrastructure to absorb and store stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall.

The innovation aims to reduce surface flooding and protect nearby properties from future flood risk.

The trial scheme is part of the Community BlueScapes project – a partnership between Richmond Council, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), and Barnes Common Ltd.

The street has been upgraded with permeable pavements and a pioneering material called Hydrorock™, which soaks up and stores water beneath the surface.

The new underground infrastructure can store more than 100 cubic metres of water, helping to protect 25 local homes by keeping excess water away from properties and easing pressure on the Thames Water sewer system.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee, said the project reflects the council's commitment to forward-thinking climate resilience strategies.

"Climate change means that we are likely to experience periods of more intense rainfall," she said.

"The use of permeable paving and Hydrorock in Kitson Road demonstrates that we can improve the appearance and function of our streets at the same time as reducing flood risk following downpours."

She added: "Kitson Road is a great example of 'sustainable drainage' – a phrase we will be hearing more frequently, as we explore better ways to manage heavy rainfall in urban areas."

To learn more about how Richmond is reducing flood risk and how local communities can prepare, visit the Council's website here.

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