Newham School Rain Garden | Kay Rowe Nursery, Osborne Road

Client

Newham Council

Location

Sectors

Products & Services

Project overview

Located directly outside a local nursery on Osborne Road, this rain garden project transforms a former Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) space into a functional and welcoming green street feature. Delivered as part of Newham’s wider SuDS programme, the scheme introduces 30m² of rain gardens that manage surface water while improving the everyday environment for pupils, parents and residents.

Goal

To convert a former LTN space into a permanent rain garden that reduces flood risk, supports biodiversity and creates a greener, safer environment for a nearby school community.

Scope

The project involved the design and installation of approximately 30m² of rain gardens positioned along the street edge outside the school. Works included the removal of existing hard surfaces, installation of SuDS features and planting, alongside coordination with the local authority and community planting sessions with pupils and nursery groups.

Solutions

The Osborne Road rain garden uses simple, robust SuDS design to capture and manage rainwater directly from the street. By combining planting, soil systems and community involvement, the scheme delivers both environmental function and social value in a highly visible location.

LTN conversion to green infrastructure

A temporary traffic-calmed space was repurposed into a permanent rain garden, replacing hardstanding with a functional, planted SuDS feature.

SuDS Rain Garden design

The system captures and slows rainwater runoff from surrounding surfaces, helping reduce pressure on local drainage networks and lowering flood risk.

Nursery planting

Local school children were involved in planting, creating a hands-on learning experience and fostering early understanding of climate resilience and biodiversity.

Resilient, biodiverse planting

A mix of hardy, pollinator-friendly species was selected to thrive in urban conditions while providing seasonal interest and ecological value.

Impact

The Osborne Road rain garden has transformed a simple street space into a greener, more engaging environment – particularly for the school community.

Safer, greener school environment

Positioned outside the school, the rain garden improves the streetscape for pupils and parents, creating a calmer and more pleasant setting.

Reduced surface water flooding

By absorbing and slowing rainwater, the scheme helps manage runoff and contributes to wider flood resilience efforts across the borough.

Community engagement

Involving local children in planting builds a sense of ownership and strengthens connections between people and their environment.

Lasting improvements

The project demonstrates how temporary LTN measures can be upgraded into permanent green infrastructure that delivers long-term environmental and social benefits.