New rain garden boosts flood resilience in Barnes

An innovative scheme to reduce flood risk and adapt to the impacts of climate change has been developed through the Community BlueScapes partnership.

The purpose-built rain garden will help protect the local area from flash flooding following heavy rain while also transforming the space from grey to green.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Richmond Council’s Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee said:

"This rain garden is an attractive feature that the local community can enjoy, and it demonstrates one of the ways we can reduce the risk of local surface water flooding on paved urban areas. I'd encourage residents to consider where in their neighbourhood similar solutions could feature. This is one rain garden – we need more of them!”

Located beside the roundabout on Barnes High Street, the rain garden absorbs excess water from storms or heavy rainfall, easing pressure on drains and lowering the risk of surface water flooding. It also naturally filters pollutants, provides a habitat for local wildlife, and creates an attractive space for the community to enjoy.

The garden was developed by Community BlueScapes – a Defra-funded partnership between Richmond Council, Barnes Common Ltd. and WWT – in collaboration with the Barnes Community Association. The project funding came from the same Defra budget. Residents have welcomed the rain garden, praising both its practical flood benefits and the way it improves the street as a community space.

John McNeilly, Chair of the Barnes Community Association said:

“We are proud to support a project that protects Barnes from flooding and improves our local environment. This is as an excellent example of how urban areas can become more resilient to extreme weather.“This initiative strongly aligns with the BCA’s commitment to restoring green spaces and fostering community-led environmental improvements throughout Barnes supporting a vision for a greener, more sustainable borough.”

This rain garden is one of several projects across the borough that improve flood resilience, with more planned, including installation of sustainable urban drainage systems in Castelnau and Mortlake.