A new rain garden will be built on Barnes High Street beside the roundabout by Community BlueScapes in collaboration with Barnes Community Association (BCA).

The rain garden is a specially designed green area that helps to manage stormwater runoff, or water from heavy rainfall that does not soak into the ground.

Instead of water flowing into drains or causing sudden floods, rain gardens absorb this water.  

BCA and Community BlueScapes tell Richmond Nub News that installation of the rain garden is planned for spring this year as part of The Barnes High Street project.

Barnes High Street roundabout, connecting The Terrace and Lonsdale Road, in September 2024 (credit: Google Maps).

Work on the rain garden will be undertaken as part of highways improvement within Richmond Council, covered under Section 100 of the Highways Act 1980.

Many more green projects like the rain garden could be installed to other parts of Richmond Borough, the groups confirm.

Spokespeople from BCA and Community BlueSpace comment: "This is one of many projects in collaboration with the community to improve flood resilience and restore green spaces throughout Richmond."

The Barnes High Street project was a successful bid as part of the Community BlueScapes Ideas Fund, submitted by BCA.

Community BlueScapes is a partnership led by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), and Barnes Common Ltd that aims to improve flood resilience in the Beverley Brook catchment.

To find out more about BCA click here and to find out more about Community BlueScapes click here.

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