Keogh Road Rain Gardens

Keogh Road in Newham underwent a major redesign as part of the Atherton Low-Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN). The Council’s objective was to replace the temporary LTN timber planters with a permanent streetscape that improves public safety, prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, encourages active travel,  and integrates Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).

Meristem Design delivered the new rain gardens – introducing resilient, multi-layered planting that enhances biodiversity while supporting the site’s flood reduction. The result is a safer, greener and more accessible residential street that better serves local families, walkers and the adjacent nursery.

To transform a previously unsafe cut-through into a permanent, traffic-calmed street with SuDS-integrated rain gardens, improved accessibility, enhanced biodiversity and a more welcoming public realm for residents.

Soft landscape delivery for rain gardens and planting beds, including evergreen shrubs, grasses and pollinator-friendly species. The project includes widened pavements and new pedestrian crossings to support the rainwater attenuation and infiltration.

Before the LTN, Keogh Road functioned as a busy cut-through route, creating unsafe crossing conditions, excessive noise and poor air quality. A road traffic accident in 2021 intensified concerns among residents and further highlighted the need to redesign the street to prioritise safety, reduce road danger and calm vehicle speeds. In addition to traffic issues, the street lacked greenery.

Both functional and aesthetic, this SuDS project delivers flood resilience, biodiversity support and traffic-calming benefits while helping to create a safer, welcoming and walkable residential street. Alongside traffic-calming and modal filtering, the Keogh Road scheme incorporated nature-based design, SuDS features and community-led planting to create a greener, healthier and more resilient street environment. Rain gardens and planting beds were installed to manage surface water and introduce pollinator-friendly species, supported by a hands-on community planting day delivered with a local nursery to deepen local ownership.

Keogh Road has evolved into a safer, greener and more resilient street. The rain gardens and planting contribute to reduced flooding, enhanced biodiversity and an improved public realm that supports the local community. The combination of traffic reduction and new green infrastructure has created a safer, cleaner and more attractive neighbourhood. The rain gardens now intercept runoff, support biodiversity and soften the street’s character, while residents benefit from quieter routes and improved conditions for walking, cycling and wheeling.

• Safer, low-traffic streets, especially for children, older adults and people using mobility aids.

• Improved air quality and local habitat creation, with rain gardens supporting pollinators and reducing pollution exposure in an area with historically poor air quality.

• Increased active travel, supported by calmer streets and greener, more welcoming walking and cycling routes.

• Stronger community engagement, as residents gained a role in shaping and planting the streetscape, encouraging long-term care for the new rain gardens.