Strawberry Vale Drainage Scheme

Results updated 23 Oct 2024

Update to Road Closure

Thank you to all those who provided responses to our survey on the Strawberry Vale Drainage Scheme.

As you will be aware, construction is currently taking place on a flood alleviation scheme at the junction of Waldegrave Road and Tower Road. This scheme will store water beneath the ground, reducing the amount of rainwater runoff from up to 4 different roads that would otherwise overwhelm the sewer network at this location. We are pleased to advise that construction is nearing completion on this scheme.

As previously advised, in order to complete the works within the road, a further road closure is required. This road closure will take place during the week of half-term, form the 28th October – 3rd November. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the road closure.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this road closure will cause. For further information on the scheme, or to contact the council, please visit the website.

Previous update - September 5th 2024 Previous update - September 5th 2024

Following the positive feedback we received, construction has now begun.

Update to Road Closure

Construction is currently taking place on a flood alleviation scheme at the junction of Waldegrave Road and Tower Road. This scheme will store water beneath the ground, reducing the amount of rainwater runoff from up to 4 different roads that would otherwise overwhelm the sewer network at this location.

It is with regret that we will need to extend the road closure past the planned date of 10^th September. This is due to excavations locating services beneath road which were not reflected on the utility asset plan. As a result, a scheme redesign was required to work around these services, and additional excavations must now take place. This setback means that the road closure needs to be extended a further two weeks, with the roads reopening on the 23^rdof September. An additional closure will also be required at a later date, provisionally during the October half-term

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this road closure will cause.

Road closure details

Pedestrian Access will be provided at all times
Vehicle Access for residents will also be maintained and manged throughout the closure.
The road closure will be from the junction with Tower Road to the pedestrian refuge in Waldegrave Road, as below:

Overview

Strawberry Vale and the surrounding streets have suffered repeated flood incidents, including four incidents within the space of two months in the summer of 2021.

These incidents have been partially attributed to tide locking (where the outlet to the Thames is blocked due to high tide), which causes surface water to back up onto the road. There have also been instances of sewer flooding and Thames Water has undertaken a number of actions to reduce the likelihood of this occurring, whilst wider investigation is ongoing.

The Council plan to introduce a tree pit and underground storage tank at the roundabout between Strawberry Vale, Cross Deep, and Waldegrave Road.

The site is currently made up of large grey paving areas which would benefit from greening. There is an existing tree on site which will need to be removed for an underground water retention system to be put in place. This tree will be replaced with a tree of the same species upon completion of the civil works.

A drawing of the scheme can be found here.

How does the tree pit work to reduce flood risk? How does the tree pit work to reduce flood risk?

During storms, rain falling on the roads currently drain directly into the sewer. However, in such storms, sewers in this area can become overwhelmed, leading to flooding.
With the introduction of this scheme, rainwater in the roads surrounding Strawberry Vale will be diverted into the storage tank underneath the tree pit. The water shall then be gradually released at a low rate to the sewers, easing the pressure on the system and reducing the risk of flooding as a result.
During instances of tide locking, surface water can be stored in the storage tank, preventing the overflow of surface water onto the street.
The planting of low-maintenance grasses and shrubs around the tree will also improve the communal space for residents and increase biodiversity within the area.

Have your say

Richmond Council wants to hear your views. To take part in this survey please click the online survey link below.

If you require a paper copy of the survey or any other accessible format, please contact us at consultation@richmond.gov.uk or 020 8871 7816.

What happens next

Richmond Council is currently working with Thames Water on further investigations into sewer network capacity in the area. This research will inform additional interventions within this catchment.

If a decision is made to progress, we expect construction on this scheme to begin next year, with planting to be completed in the spring.

Areas

South Twickenham

Audiences

Open to all

Interests

Richmond Borough

Contact