London urgently needs to become a “sponge city” – better designed to absorb and hold rainwater – in order to deal with the potentially catastrophic impact of the climate emergency.
Sponge city: bringing the River Wandle back to the surface of Wandle Park is among the methods used to reduce London’s flood risk
That’s according to the organisers of London Rivers Week, which starts on Saturday.
The climate emergency has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, with localised flooding increasingly common across all parts of the capital.
“Governments, businesses and communities must protect London’s rivers in order for them to be better prepared to tackle the impacts of droughts and floods brought on by the climate crisis,” according to the London Rivers Week organisers as they urge politicians seeking election, the water companies (yeah, them), as well as environmental charities and the public to work together on making the city “sponge like”.
London Rivers Week celebrates all London’s rivers, from the mighty Thames to rare chalk streams like the River Wandle, and has a packed programme of walks, talks and online seminars for everyone to get involved in. Click here for the full schedule of events across the capital
London Rivers Week is organised by the River Partnerships in London (RiPL). The principal organisations running London Rivers Week are the Environment Agency, the South East Rivers Trust, London Wildlife Trust, ZSL, CPRE London and the Thames Estuary Partnership. In addition to these organisations, many other groups run and contribute to events, walks, talks and seminars to demonstrate the value of the city’s rivers and wetlands.
Thames21, one of the lead coordinators of London Rivers Week, is already working with partners and volunteers to make London a sponge city. It has created wetlands, planted trees and supported sustainable drainage systems across London to help improve biodiversity and capture rainwater to reduce flood risks.
Its “Rewilding the Rom” project in Dagenham has seen the development of a wetland that connected the River Rom to its floodplain and turned this river into a healthy environment for wildlife.
Chris Coode, Thames21’s CEO, said: “London has lost many of its green spaces to urban development and we urgently need more nature-based solutions such as wetlands to help tackle the impact of the climate emergency. Wetlands absorb excess rainfall, slow down water flow to rivers and reduce the risk of flooding to homes.
“These green spaces are essential for managing surface water and creating environments where water is naturally controlled.
“Spending time by the river has proven benefits for people’s health and well-being. This is a key theme of this year’s London Rivers Week, now in its eighth year. By transforming London into a sponge city we enhance our rivers’ resilience to climate change and ensure that we can all benefit from our precious rivers.”
The London branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is also involved in London Rivers Week, and their Anna Taylor said: “We are keen to highlight the urgent need for more rain gardens across the capital to reduce road-run off, ease the pressure on storm water drains, and help to reduce the risk of sewage overflow into our rivers.”
It is widely suggested that the tendency for people to concrete-over their front gardens, often to use the space for car parking, has increased flood risks in suburban areas, such as parts of Croydon. There’s fewer places where rainfall can be absorbed, and the volume of run-off water is increased, putting street gutters and drains under unforeseen, increased pressure.
“There is an absolutely urgent need for action in this area,” Taylor said.
“Sustainable urban drainage assessments should be bog-standard when roadworks and streetscapes are being updated.”
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Read more: ‘Important’ council flood survey that suffers from missing links
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