Action for Silk Stream
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How the project is funded
Out of 79 applicants from all over the country, we secured the government’s £6m fund for Flood & Coastal Resilience Innovation
We will use the funding to reduce river and surface water flooding in the Silk Stream catchment area.
The project will help to deal with the impact of climate change.
Benefits of the Silk Stream project
The project aims to build nature based and sustainable schemes within the area. It will also provide benefits to:
- the environment
- water quality
- biodiversity
- education
- society (engaging with schools, youth groups and community training)
- greenspaces for community
Silk Stream Project Catchment Area
Year 1 (2021/22) - Local community and business survey
During 2021, various community and business engagement activities were conducted across Barnet and Harrow. This included a local community and business.
Survey summary:
- we need to broaden our reach; we had a good response to the survey, but we need more people engaged in our work
- representation of communities needs to be improved as demographics of respondents did not match the demographics of the catchment
- most respondents lived next to a stream or brook with a good geographical spread of entries - 35% of respondents believe their property is at risk of flooding; 55% do not know how to protect their properties from flooding.
- there was good awareness of the causes of flooding with many citing direct impacts from flooding. Most agreed with the project aims and feel reducing flood risk is important
- flooding has a direct effect on respondent’s finances, mental health and ability to travel - 42% reported the incidents as very / quite serious.
- support for multi-faceted approach with good support towards nature-based solutions - 91% agreed managing flood risk in the Silk Stream catchment is important
This is the first survey of this 6 year project. There will be site specific surveys throughout the project as we continue to develop proposals.
During Year 1, the Outline Business Case was approved and shortlisted sites was put forward.
North London project plans to ramp up nature-based solutions to tackle flood risk (London Post)
Community project to restore river habitat and reduce flood risk (Barnet Post)
The North London project plans to develop nature-based solutions to combat flood risk (UK Daily)
Year 2 (2022/23) - Creating new wetlands
The project will see the creation of new wetlands in several parks throughout the Silk Stream catchment area. These projects will help build flood resilience, improve water quality, boost biodiversity and provide valuable blue/green spaces for people to enjoy.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), such as rain gardens, will be created in the urban streetscape to help remove pollutants from road run-off and slow the flow of water entering the surface water sewer system.
The project will also enlist the help of Thames Water, using innovative ‘thermosensors’ to discover where surface water is entering the foul network as part of efforts to address sewer flooding and the serious pollution issues that affect the catchment.
Key shortlisted sites in Barnet where flood mitigation measures are proposed:
- Watling Park
- The Meads Open Space
- Lyndhurst Park
- Stoneyfields Park
- Stonegrove Park
- Edgewarebury Park
For more detailed proposed plans for each of the sites visit the Action for Silk Stream website: Action for Silk Stream - Site Plans
Year 3 (2023/24) - Redesigning Watling Park
During the third year of the project, residents were invited to a design consultation event in Watling Park to showcase the plans for the park.
Our initial plans include building of a flood storage basin in the north of the park and re-aligning a section of the Burnt Oak Brook, taking it out of its concrete channel, adding meanders and bringing it further into the park.
Wetlands will also be created in the central area of the park. These wetlands will intercept a surface water drain, improving water quality and providing additional flood storage. The existing playground will be upgraded and moved to a new position in the park.
Over 80 people attended and the overall feedback remained largely positive.
You can find more detailed information about the plans for Watling Park here, including the proposed designs and answers to some FAQs.
Our Lyndhurst and The Meads proposals progressed to a community co-design workshop, held in November 2023. Representatives from our project partners Thames 21 and Metis were present and early design concepts were shared with the local community. Residents were able to give their opinions on how they thought the green space along the Burnt Oak brook should be used and also informed the project team of where localised flooding occurs.
Discussions from this event were fed back to the project team for consideration.
When will the Action for Silk Stream project be completed?
The project will be delivered over 6 years, from 2021 to 2027.
Throughout the duration of the project, we will continue engaging with stakeholders and communities.
If you have any questions, you can email fwm@barnet.gov.uk
Latest news
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