The project aims to revitalise Romford Road by promoting sustainable travel, improving environmental quality and creating safer, more pleasant streets for people to move through. As part of Newham Council’s three-year initiative, the rain gardens are designed to:

• Reduce surface water flooding by capturing and slowing rainwater runoff
• Define safer active travel routes
• Introduce greenery and biodiversity to the space
• Connect the two boroughs via a green route that works harder for residents, commuters and the environment

Romford Road stretches from Stratford to Ilford, crossing the London Boroughs Newham and Redbridge, and forming a crucial route through the city for many commuters.

Our involvement in the scheme began in November 2023 and spans a three-year programme of rain garden planting across the long stretch of roadside space. The rain gardens support new cycle lanes and pedestrian routes along the pavement.

The planting design was developed to enhance visual impact, support flood mitigation and provide additional shade, incorporating a mix of shrubs, perennials and trees. Key species include:

• Achillea ‘moonshine’
• Helictotrichen sempervirens ‘blue oat grass’
• Cistus x purpureus

The project has formed a series of rain gardens along Romford Road, designed to integrate sustainable drainage and greenery into a busy, urbanised stretch. The rain gardens have been implemented to manage surface water at source while also providing visual and environmental benefits to the streetscape.

The collaborative scheme brings together planting and more efficient drainage to create a more resilient public space.

The rain gardens along Romford Road are helping to create a more resilient and vibrant green corridor. They contribute to wider improvements in air quality, biodiversity and the overall experience of the street alongside managing surface water runoff.