Following the successful trial of Hydrorock flood defence technology in Seven Kings, Redbridge Council has expanded its use to additional areas within the borough to mitigate local flood risks. Initially installed on Seven Kings High Road last year, the system demonstrated its effectiveness by preventing flooding despite heavy rainfall. This success has prompted the Council to install Hydrorock blocks beneath Hermon Hill and Wellesley Road in Wanstead Village, locations marked by historic flooding issues, particularly affecting residents in basement flats.

The Hydrorock blocks function much like a sponge, placed underneath road surfaces and connected to the drainage gullies. They rapidly absorb excess rainwater during heavy downpours and then release it gradually into the sewer system. This controlled release prevents the sewers from being overwhelmed by sudden surges of water—a leading cause of road flooding. Alongside the subterranean blocks, the Council has also resurfaced parts of these roads with permeable paving to assist in the direct absorption of rainwater, further easing the burden on local drainage infrastructure.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Jo Blackman, emphasised the Council’s proactive approach amidst increasing extreme weather events attributed to climate change. Speaking on the initiative, she highlighted the importance of using sustainable drainage systems and innovative technologies like Hydrorock to build a flood-resilient borough, protecting local homes, businesses, and communities. The Council has committed to investing over £11 million in flood risk reduction schemes over the next decade, building on the £2.5 million spent since 2022.

Redbridge’s flood risk management does not stop with the Hydrorock installations. The Council has been actively implementing a range of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) through partnerships with Thames Water, the Environment Agency, and environmental organisations. These efforts include rain gardens and adapted planters designed to collectively manage and attenuate over 380,000 litres of surface water. Such initiatives help to reduce surface water runoff entering sewers, addressing flood risks in a sustainable and ecological manner.

The Council’s long-term strategy, supported by previous funding allocations such as the £830,000 dedicated to flood alleviation in 2022, underscores a comprehensive approach embracing multiple complementary measures. These include permeable road surfaces, rain gardens, and water retention projects—all aimed at reducing surface water flooding across Redbridge. Additional targeted projects have received grant funding to assist specific vulnerable locations like local schools, where new soakaways and swales are planned to manage water more effectively.

Complementing these technical and infrastructural measures, Redbridge Council has also undertaken green regeneration projects that indirectly contribute to flood resilience. Notably, a £3 million scheme to restore public access along the River Roding in Ilford combines increased community amenity with enhanced natural flood defences through rewilding and improved riverside paths.

Collectively, these diverse flood management and resilience projects reflect Redbridge Council’s holistic and forward-thinking approach, combining innovative technology with sustainable urban drainage and environmental enhancements to meet the challenges posed by climate change-related flooding.

📌 Reference Map:

Source: Noah Wire Services