Camden continues to make progress in flood risk management
During Flood Action Week 2025 (13 to 19 October), Camden Council is highlighting the good progress we are making to reduce the risk of flooding in the borough, both through our own programmes and our work with partners.
In the past few years at locations across Camden, we have experienced more frequent instances of flash flooding, yet another reminder of the reality of the Climate Emergency.
Camden is the designated Lead Local Flood Authority for the borough, however this does not mean we can achieve everything alone and we are working with partners to identify new opportunities and funding, as well as encouraging everyone to take action to reduce the risk of flooding.
We expect to see increased rainfall in the years to come. While we cannot prevent flooding from happening entirely, we will do everything we can to reduce it.
Experience has shown how important it is to work across Councils, water companies, emergency services and with residents and businesses to deal with extreme weather events like these.
In the three years since publishing our Flood Risk Management Strategy, we have made good progress toward enhancing flood risk management in Camden, and we will continue to do what we can to green up our streets.
We have introduced Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) at identified locations across the borough to help mitigate periods of heavy rainfall, while also de-paving streets, turning the grey to green, and continuing to increase the number of new trees and therefore the tree canopy throughout Camden.
We have strong ties with the South Hampstead Flood Action Group, which oversees a Community Flood Plan focusing on infrastructure improvements and awareness raising. We have also worked with residents in South End Green to implement natural flood measures on Hampstead Heath to prevent downstream flooding in residential areas.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“One example is innovative and award-winning SuDS on Parliament Hill, which saw the installation combined with gas mains replacement works in collaboration with Cadent Gas, minimising disruption for residents and people travelling through the area.
“We have also partnered with The City of London, who with our encouragement and support, have installed natural flood management to the south of the East Heath car park, with the goal of slowing rainwater from running off the Heath onto East Heath Road which in turn can contribute to flood risk in South End Green.
“This work has also been complemented by Camden led improvements to the drainage infrastructure in South End Green itself. Work has involved increasing the openings in a number of identified existing gullies as well as the introduction of new gullies that will maximise the use of an existing large diameter Thames Water combined sewer in the area.
“We also actively monitor all higher risk areas, and our gully crews inspect all drains to ensure they are free of leaves and debris.”
Ongoing and planned work includes the current installation of rain gardens on Goldhurst Terrace, due to be completed in 2026.
You can read more information and advice on dealing with the risk of floods in Camden on our website.