The rerouted Burnt Oak Brook in Watling Park
Barnet Council can announce during Flood Action Week that it has now completed its new deluge-busting natural drainage systems in Friary Park, Friern Barnet.
Work on the £500,000 flood alleviation scheme included the construction of a new wetland and a series of small ponds. These will help prevent flooding from the Blacketts Brook, which flows through the popular beauty spot as well as through heavily populated residential areas.
The council has also removed historically constructed artificial banks from the stream, so water can more easily flow out and be absorbed in the park’s soil, connecting the river to its flood plain.
Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said: “As our weather continues to change unpredictably, we will work hard to minimise its impact on our residents. Our flood-busting projects will help stop their houses and transport infrastructure from being damaged by the dire effects of climate change.”
Works on the council’s flood alleviation and general improvements programme in Watling Park, Burnt Oak, are also nearing completion. These covered a big upgrade to the popular urban beauty spot’s main entrance from the junction between Orange Hill Road and Watling Avenue, which will include new CCTV and lighting. New playgrounds and an outdoor gym, as well as a girls-only play area, have also been installed.
New wetland areas and rerouting of the Burnt Oak Brook – including the removal of concrete artificial banks – will reduce the risk of flooding to nearby houses and roads. The £1.5million project has also seen paths resurfaced, new trees planted, and new specialist plants installed to help remove pollutants and improve water quality in the river.
Watling Park is part of the Action for Silk Stram project. Barnet Council have worked closely on the project with Thames 21 and the Friends of Watling Park group.
The project is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The project explores opportunities to reduce flooding and pollution while creating tangible environmental benefits within the Silk Stream catchment.
The council previously created a £1.3m Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SuDS) in Halliwick Recreation Ground, Muswell Hill. The project saw a flood basin, drainage system and more introduced to prevent flooding to nearby properties and roads.