New Rain Gardens Bring Flood Protection

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Planted by Hammersmith Community Gardens Association members

Volunteers at the King Street rain garden. Picture: H&F Council

December 1, 2025

The two newly planted rain gardens along King Street has been designed to reduce flooding and boost biodiversity.

The green installations, located between Beavor Lane and Standish Road, were created with the support of volunteers from the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association. The project forms part of a wider effort to make the borough’s busiest high street safer, greener, and more resilient to heavy rainfall after severe flooding in previous years.

Funded by £100,000 from Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Green Investment scheme, the rain gardens act as natural shields by absorbing water into the ground, easing pressure on Victorian sewers, and creating attractive barriers between shops and the road. The scheme has already raised more than £3.25 million from local investors—the highest total of any council in Britain—and will reopen for new contributions on Monday 1 December.

Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, said, “This is a perfect example of how residents can see what their investment is delivering on their doorstep. The rain gardens they’ve helped fund are protecting our neighbourhood from flooding while creating beautiful green spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

The initiative is also extending to local primary schools. Eco-friendly downpipe planters have been installed at Old Oak, Flora Gardens, and Wormholt Park schools. These planters capture rainwater from roofs using special soil and mineral wool, storing it longer to reduce runoff while providing colourful spaces for pupils to learn about nature and food growing.

Children at local schools have been helping out with the planting. Picture: H&F Council

The rain gardens are part of a broader programme to revitalise Hammersmith’s Civic Campus and King Street. New pavements are being laid between Cromwell Avenue and Unity Square, funded by developers, to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

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