Mayor redoubles efforts to safeguard London from the impacts of climate change
|
Sadiq commits £4 million to projects that will improve climate
resilience in green spaces Mayor and partners commit £1.5m in
funding to help make 100 of the most at-risk schools more resilient
to flash flooding and other climate impacts Projects are part of a
wider plan to help London adapt to a changing climate This comes as
the Mayor publishes a progress report from the Flooding Roundtable
Taskforce The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan,...Request free trial
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today awarded £4 million from the Green and Resilient Spaces Fund to projects that will help improve green spaces across London and safeguard the capital from the impacts of climate change. Six large scale projects have received a combined £3.44 million in Mayor of London grant funding. These projects will bring benefits to areas more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and will strengthen climate resilience, increase biodiversity, improve access to green space, build green skills and promote health and wellbeing. Projects include opening up access to the West Reservoir in Hackney, creating new green space for Londoners and new reedbed habitats. New footbridges will enable more people to easily get to the site. Some projects will provide new green corridors to link up green spaces, improving walking and cycling routes, while others will help tackle river and surface water flooding by creating more flood water storage in parks and planting new rain gardens. New areas of meadow will be planted, with Lambeth aiming to create 10 miles of green highways for bees, butterflies and other pollinators across the borough. A further £520,000 of development funding has been awarded to 13 projects which will support them to work on their designs and community engagement. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a report that warned there is only a brief and rapidly closing window to tackle the climate crisis, with a warning of the dire consequences of inaction. Severe impacts are already happening and vulnerable people with the least resources to adapt are most exposed. The Green and Resilient Spaces Fund will improve the quality and climate resilience of over 57 hectares of public green space, equivalent to the size of over 2000 tennis courts and restore nature to 5km of river in the capital. It is just part of the Mayor’s investment in London’s green and blue spaces. Since May 2021 he’s also awarded £1.4 million through Grow Back Greener grants to 45 community green space projects. This is in addition to the £13 million Greener City Fund which supported green space projects in all 32 boroughs and the City of London. Separately, the Climate Resilient Schools Programme is committing £1.5 million to help make 100 schools more climate resilient. This is a partnership between City Hall, the Department for Education and Thames Water to enhance the climate resilience of up to 100 schools by improving water efficiency, reducing surface water flood risk, helping schools create climate adaptation plans and teaching children the importance of climate adaptation. It will target those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, prioritising the top 10 per cent of schools with highest surface water flood risk and that fall within the worst bands of the GLA’s Climate Risk Mapping. In the summer of 2007, flooding in England resulted in widespread school closures that amounted to 400,000 lost pupil school days, at an estimated economic cost of £12m. In recent years, London has seen the impact of the climate emergency first-hand with soaring temperatures and flash floods in the capital. City Hall analysis has shown that if the necessary action is not taken and extreme temperatures and flooding continue to get worse, a quarter of London’s rail stations, 1 in 5 schools, nearly half of London’s hospitals and hundreds of thousands of homes and workplaces will be at risk of flooding in the future. The Mayor has published a progress report from the Flooding Roundtable he convened as a response to last summer’s flash flooding. The report outlines the actions taken since last summer to improve the emergency response to flooding and sets out plans to also tackle the longer-term risks posed by climate change to ensure London is better prepared for future extreme rainfall events. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The climate emergency is one of the biggest global threats we face today. Here in London we are already experiencing first-hand the devastating impact of the climate crisis, with flash floods in the summer of 2021 and heatwaves in 2020, which led to almost 500 additional deaths. “This crisis also exacerbates social and racial injustice. The effects of the climate crisis won’t impact all Londoners equally – with areas of London with the highest Black, Asian and minority ethnic populations much more likely to face the worst consequences of London’s climate emergency. Poverty, deprivation and health inequalities will also reduce people’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from overheating and flooding incidents. “As Mayor, I want London to lead the way in tackling the climate emergency and for all Londoners to be have access to great green spaces close to where they live. The new funding I am announcing today and my Rewild London Fund are just the start of even more investment in green spaces, nature and projects to improve life in our city and help tackle the climate emergency, so we can build a greener, fairer London for everyone.” Sarah Bentley, Thames Water CEO said: “We all have a responsibility to take care of our planet for future generations. That means acting now on climate change. We can’t do this alone, it’s essential that we work together to make a positive difference. I’m delighted we’re working with the GLA and DfE on the Climate Resilient Schools Programme, helping schools explore how they can be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. “One of the ways we’re supporting is through offering experts to do site visits to reduce water use, helping schools to fix leaks on their pipework and put in place water efficient fittings. “This programme will deliver so many great benefits. It’ll help reduce flooding and unnecessary water usage, while also helping younger generations to understand the importance of our scarce and precious resource so they can continue to protect it for future generations.” Michelle Ginty, Headteacher Salusbury Primary School, Brent, said: “As a school affected by the flooding last year, we were pleased to be invited to work with the Climate Resilient Schools Programme. Salusbury Primary School is looking forward to collaborating with the project team to develop our climate resilience plans and raise the profile and understanding of climate change in our community. We are also grateful for the opportunity to make our playground greener and reduce our surface water flood risk with the resources and ideas the programme offers.” Ros Daniels, Regional Director, London and Southeast, Canal & River Trust, said: “Spending time by the water makes people healthier and happier, and the Southall Grand Union Canal Wellbeing Way is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the wellbeing of the local community. Each green and blue place will provide a unique point of interest and opportunity for people to get to know, love and care for their canal and its surrounding spaces, through exploring, exercising, enjoying quality time with friends and family, getting involved in cultural activities, and creating and caring for gardens and wildlife habitat. Since the start of the pandemic, people have gravitated towards their local canal towpaths and green spaces and discovered the wellbeing benefits of being by water and connecting with nature. We know how important the canal and green spaces are for people in Southall to take a breath, take time out and spend time with others, as well as being active and outside. The new towpath will provide more space for everybody and have a better surface so the canal can be enjoyed in all weathers.” ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS Green and Resilient Spaces Funded Projects
The Canal & River Trust will lead this health and well-being focused project linking five green spaces along the Grand Union Canal towpath around Southall, working with Catalyst Housing and Ealing Council. This project will improve access to currently underused canalside spaces, by improving towpaths, particularly for cyclists and those with mobility difficulties, as well as revitalising public spaces. There will be more opportunities for exercise, learning, playing, connecting, looking after local wildlife habitat and food growing. The project will also build climate resilience and create and improve wildlife habitats.
This project aims to open up currently inaccessible waterside green space at West Reservoir for public access, allowing people to circulate around the perimeter of the water, as well as creating new reedbed habitats for wildlife. New bridges will link routes over the New River enabling more people to experience the natural and built heritage of the site. An improved open water swimming facility and other enhancements will also increase the number of visitors to the site. The West Reservoir adjoins Woodberry Wetlands (previously known as the East Reservoir).
Large areas of Chestnuts Park are currently unusable during the winter and in wet weather due to drainage issues. This project aims to create new wetlands and swales to help with this, which will also help tackle flooding downstream. The project will also improve access to the park, add ‘play on the way’ features and new wildlife habitats. Plans will be co-designed with the local community.
Groundwork London, in partnership with London Borough Hillingdon, are leading this series of inter-linked projects across the Pinkwell ward and surrounding green and blue spaces, greening housing, schools, parks and streets. Green Blue You aims to reduce flood risk and alleviate pollution to water courses, improving and creating habitats including woodland, meadows and rivers. The project will work with residents to create greener and more biodiverse estates and provide local young people and residents with opportunities to learn new green skills through volunteering and training. The neighbourhood will benefit from new sustainable drainage, new natural play areas and improved walking and cycling access to and within green spaces.
Lambeth Bee Roads is a vision to provide ten miles of green highways for bees, butterflies and other pollinators across the borough, connecting places, communities, and landowners. Lambeth Council working with local communities and volunteers, will deliver a series of roadside wildflower verges on under-used land in locations suggested by local residents. The project will continue to be developed in collaboration with local communities. The project will also help better manage rainwater through sustainable urban drainage, improve walking routes, and create natural play opportunities. The project will share ‘how to’ guides with other boroughs.
This project will transform the east side of Beckenham Place Park and provide a green link for residents from the Downham Estate along a historic green route. Extensive new landscaping of the east side of the park will provide wildlife-rich ponds and lowland meadows with space to accommodate stormwater to reduce flood risk. Over 400 properties and critical rail infrastructure will be better protected from flooding. Across the park there will be new and enhanced opportunities for play and recreation for all. The project will engage and reconnect the communities of Bellingham, Downham and Whitefoot, reaching out to a greater diversity of users and participants as well as boosting blue-green conservation skills through volunteering and training. Green and resilient spaces - Project Development grants – £40,000 per project More information about the projects can be found here: www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/parks-green-spaces-and-biodiversity/green-and-resilient-spaces-fund
Ambitious project to restore the Gores Brook through Parsloes Park and Goresbrook Park. The project would create a riverside park area through Parsloes Park with enhanced recreational and biodiversity value for local residents from the nearby Becontree housing estates. Working with Thames21 and the London Wildlife Trust, development funding will support a community engagement process and technical studies to develop the project to planning stage.
Sustrans are leading this project to make a large underused green space more accessible and welcoming. Development funding will support community co-design of a plan for the site, community research into pilot interventions to improve entrances and access through the site along with ecological survey work to ensure the project protects and enhances the ecology of the site.
This project aims to achieve an exemplar neighbourhood green space that responds to the challenges of climate change, helps communities to overcome health inequalities, and supports community cohesion and wellbeing. Key project elements include expanding the health offer of the park, improving entrances, creating sustainable urban drainage and extending green infrastructure into the surrounding streets. Development funding will support community co-design of plans for the site and updating the masterplan.
The North East London Clinical Commissioning Group and partners aim to better link Homerton University Hospital with nearby green spaces and improve the green spaces and green infrastructure both within and surrounding the hospital and East London NHS Foundation Trust sites. Development funding will help develop a comprehensive masterplan co-designed with the community and linked to the work of a new ‘nature recovery ranger’.
A project focused on improving infrastructure, landscaping, biodiversity and tackling flood risk in this local park, serving Tottenham Hale’s emerging district centre. The project also aims to link up a network of nearby green spaces, helping to increase usage and cater for new and existing communities. Development work seeks to promote a focus on community participation, green skills development, and generate RIBA Stage 3 and 4 designs.
A project to open up a currently inaccessible area of woodland, scrub and brownfield land next to Hanworth Park. The aim is to create a new community cycle hub and restore a large orchard. Development work will include ecological surveys, heritage appraisal, topographical survey, soil testing, flood risk assessment and development of proposals to RIBA Stage 3 with involvement of the community.
The aim of the project is to investigate appropriate options for rewilding at Tolworth Court Farm Fields Local Nature Reserve and undertake community engagement to showcase the value of the site for people and wildlife. The project has the potential to highlight how rewilding can transform the landscape and reconnect people with the natural world, while also celebrating its rich heritage. Development funding will support ecological surveys, a management plan for the site, feasibility studies and costed proposals, and community engagement.
This linear park creation project aims to bring existing Metropolitan Open Land that runs along the Grove Park railway cutting into more active use. It is a key project supported by the community in the Grove Park Neighbourhood Plan. Development funding will support feasibility and technical studies, development of a masterplan and more detailed proposals for priority sites.
The National Trust are leading this ambitious proposal to create a riverside green space in a currently inaccessible area near Colliers Wood. The project will provide access to new, nature rich, green space along this section of the River Wandle, enhancing the green route that runs alongside it. Development work is to include community engagement and co-design, ecological surveys, and obtaining relevant consents and permits for work.
This project aims to improve the accessibility and quality of a large underused series of green spaces in a very deprived area, helping to tackle public health issues. Development funding will support the creation of a comprehensive, costed masterplan for the site co-designed with the community.
This project aims to tackle flooding at Westwood Recreation Ground, helping to better protect nearby properties, through restoring the river and creating new wetlands. Culverted sections of the river will be opened up and naturalised to run through the park. Improved green links will also be made to nearby Seven Kings Park and a local school. Development work to include community engagement and co-design, ecological surveys, and developing a landscape led masterplan.
This project aims to help restore this park, currently on the Heritage at Risk register. It will also improve access and integrate natural flood management, helping the park to be more resilient to climate change. Part of a much larger project, this development funding will identify opportunities for sustainable urban drainage schemes and look at what habitat improvements could be made to the lake itself and by creating wetlands. It will also engage the community in preparing proposals for the landscape and habitat works.
This street greening project, greening the south side of Rotherhithe New Road, aims to include rain gardens, parklets, play spaces and a new walking and cycling route, which will contribute to a strategic ‘Greener Belt’ ultimately connecting the Old Kent Road to Southwark Park and Canada Water. Development funding is for site surveys, community engagement and design work to develop project to RIBA Stage 4. Climate Resilient Schools
Flooding report
The full report can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/WHAT-WE-DO/environment/environment-publications/surface-water-flooding-london |