Hove rain garden making a splash to reduce flood risk
A new rain garden in Hove which is helping to prevent flooding in Norton Road is starting to look colourful.
Since construction completed in the autumn the rain garden has taken shape, with plants becoming well established, the new hornbeam street tree in leaf and a new sign installed.
Managing flood risk
A rain garden is a nature-based Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) designed to help manage the risk of local flooding and promote biodiversity within the city.
It works by holding onto and then slowly releasing surface water into the ground which in turn reduces the burden on the street drainage system.
Norton Road has a history of flooding during severe wet weather. The rain garden is now working to absorb some of the water that would otherwise flow down the road. The new kerb line has small gaps, allowing the surface water to flow into the garden.
Improving resilience
Councillor Trevor Muten, chair of the Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “Periods of heavy rainfall and storms driven by climate change are increasing. We’re seeing the impacts across the city, from flooded streets, homes and businesses to power cuts and damage to infrastructure.
“Rain gardens and sustainable drainage schemes are a practical way of making the city more resilient to flooding by using the power of nature to absorb large quantities of water and filter it more slowly into the ground. This reduces the burden on the drains and helps prevent water from entering homes and businesses.”
Supporting nature
The Norton Road rain garden has also been designed to improve visibility at the junction with Eaton Road and is planted with a variety of plants for residents and passers-by to enjoy. These include red campion which is in flower now.
Red campion is a favourite of the long-tongued bumblebee and a good nectar plant for butterflies, so not only are the plants doing the job of capturing heavy rainfall, they are improving biodiversity in the area.
Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee, said: “It’s amazing to see the rain garden taking shape as the plants grow. It has transformed what was an ordinary road junction into attractive green space.
“The garden has been planted with species that promote biodiversity, so will support nature in this busy area of central Hove, as well as doing an important practical job of reducing flood risk.”
Adapting to climate change
As our climate changes, heavy rainfall and extreme weather events are expected to increase in frequency. This project was supported by the council’s Carbon Neutral Fund as part of its strategic climate adaptation work. Preparing and adapting the city to the impacts of climate change is a key priority for the council in our council plan.
There are rain gardens in Carden Avenue, Brighton, Victoria Recreation Ground, Portslade, and the Village Green, Locks Hill, also in Portslade. The council plans to create more rain gardens around the city as resources allow. Construction of a larger rainscape in Wild Park is due to start in the summer.
If you live in the area and would like to be involved with looking after the Norton Road rain garden, please email sustainabledrainage@brighton-hove.gov.uk for more information.