Wadley Road

Wadley Road in the London Borough of Waltham Forest sits along the Fillebrook River course at the bottom of a local catchment. This topography makes the area particularly vulnerable to flooding during intense rainfall. In July 2021, the street was severely affected by surface water flooding, with some residents unable to remain in their homes for a considerable period.

Following the extreme flooding that hit Waltham Forest in summer 2021, Meristem Design worked with Waltham Forest Council to deliver a flood resilience scheme on Wadley Road. By delivering SuDS, the project has transformed the entire road, both above and below ground, into a climate-resilient system. By combining rain gardens, permeable paving, and rainwater storage, Wadley Road now reduces pressure on the sewer network during heavy rainfall while also creating new green space, biodiversity, and community wellbeing benefits.

The aim was to deliver a natural flood mitigation scheme that reduces flood risk to properties while also improving the vibrancy and character of Wadley Road. Alongside flood resilience, the project sought to create ecological habitats, improve water quality, enhance amenity space, and raise local awareness of flooding and climate issues amongst the residents and community.

The flood mitigation project involved the installation of five new rain gardens along Wadley Road. Including the construction of permeable surfacing to allow water infiltration, creation of underground water attenuation to store stormwater and release it gradually plus a vibrant planting design to boost biodiversity, ecology, and seasonal interest. A reduction of parking spaces was needed to enable the SuDS scheme alongside community engagement to build awareness, trust and long-term resilience.

The Wadley Road scheme combines a series of Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) measures to reduce flood risk and enhance the street environment. Five rain gardens were installed along the road, planted with resilient species to manage rainfall and boost biodiversity. The carriageway was resurfaced with permeable paving to allow water to filter through, while a stone-filled attenuation layer beneath stores excess stormwater and releases it gradually back into the sewer system. Together, these interventions transform Wadley Road into a climate-resilient street that protects homes, supports ecology, and improves local amenity.

The Wadley Road Rain Gardens have transformed a flood-prone street into a resilient, biodiverse space that protects homes from future storm events. By combining SuDS features, resilient planting, and underground water storage, the scheme reduces pressure on the sewer network and mitigates flood risk. Beyond flood resilience, the project enhances biodiversity, improves local amenity, and supports residents’ wellbeing. Crucially, it also strengthened community awareness and preparedness, addressing both the physical and emotional impacts of past flooding while removing some vehicles from the road.