What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a small, planted area which supports the wildlife and people that live in a neighbourhood. Rain gardens come in various designs and include plants that can cope with a variety of conditions. They are typically shallow depressions with absorbent, free-draining soil and vegetation that can handle temporary flooding.
Sustainable Drainage
The Coppermill gardens are designed in line with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) principles which use natural processes to manage rainwater runoff from hard surfaces after downpours. When rain falls, water is not immediately channelled down a storm drain but instead diverted into the bed of the garden, from where it slowly soaks away.
Our History
In 2018 some of these gardens were installed by the London Borough of Waltham Forest as part of the Liveable Neighbourhoods Scheme. This was funded by TfL to encourage residents, businesses and visitors to use more sustainable modes of transport to reduce congestion and air pollution and improve people's wellbeing.
In 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic this funding was cut, leaving the Liveable Neighbourhoods Scheme partially complete. The Council subsequently secured funding from the Department of Transport which was to help make space for people during the pandemic. This allowed the completion of the scheme, including the installation of further rain gardens.
By September 2021 these rain gardens were completed across the Coppermill neighbourhood.