Local flooding issues
Heavy rainfall causing flooding has been a significant issue in Milton Keynes over the years, often overwhelming the capacity of local drainage networks and resulting in surface water flooding in the area. As reported by Milton Keynes Borough Council and WSP, internal property flooding has affected thousands of homes, a number of business premises and even the Hospital. Bucks Fire have been required to rescue people from their properties and many families have been affected.
Image from MKFM
Image from MKFM
Improving Coffee Hall’s flood resilience
According to MK Citizen, heavy rainfall that overwhelmed Milton Keynes drains in 2018 caused economic damage to the city totalling an estimated £7million. Creating major disruption, flood damage and stress and worry for local residents, an area wide SuDS programme has been set in motion to help mitigate these issues.
Coffee Hall was identified as one of the main estates suffering from localised flooding, including the local community church, primary school, youth centre and a number of residential properties.
Why did we install SuDS Planters?
- to support efficient water management
- to reduce the impact on local drains
- to allow vegetation and plants to absorb rainwater
How do SuDS planters work?
SuDS planters collect rooftop runoff and work like a rain garden in a planter allowing for sustainably managed flash flooding and stormwater. They effectively enhance the capacity of the surface water piped drainage network by capturing and storing rainfall, allowing it to soak into the ground, or release it slowly back into the piped network.
Cold Harbour C of E Primary School
Due to the location of the school and that it sits below surrounding areas, heavy rain and flash flooding brings water towards and in the school. The volume of water that comes off the school roof also has a large impact on flooding into the school environment.
The whole school community loves the planters - they make a striking feature.
— Dawn Green, School Business Manager
Community Youth Centre
Our planters are in and we love them!
— Tash Darling, Youth and Community Services Manager
What’s coming next?
The next stage of Milton Keynes flood mitigation programme will see rain gardens installed in the area. Rain gardens are a type of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) that capture rainfall before it enters the piped network and either releases it slowly into the network or allows it to infiltrate into the ground.
