More nature on an urban verge whilst reducing flooding
The aim of the project was to reduce surface water flooding at a junction in East Chesterton, creating more habitat and food for pollinators, reducing the contamination of the river from toxic road runoff, and engaging local people in conversations about nature and climate.
Water Sensitive Cambridge transformed an ordinary grass verge into three beautiful rain gardens. The project was kicked off with a meeting with 12 households near the junction to discuss flood risk, changes and flooding experienced, and the plan for the rain gardens. After obtaining permission from the drainage and highways officers and the Streetworks team at Cambridgeshire County Council, the work was completed in 2024 with a licensed contractor. On Good Friday, 29th March, the local community got their hands dirty planting the first flowers. The seed mix was obtained from On the Verge Cambridge. The garden takes minimal maintenance – cutting back and removing plants that take over, and clearing the inlets. When the junction does flood after heavy rain, the water disappears more quickly than ever.
New Rain Garden Planters
The Fallowfielld Rain Garden Project was extended in 2025, with SlowFlow rain-garden planters installed at the front of an apartment building operated by Hundred Houses Society and one other private home in the area, to further reduce water reaching the surface water drains and junction.
Read more about the: Fallowfield Rain Gardens.
| Dates | 2024-2025 |
| Status | Complete |
| Area of habitat created or improved | < 1 ha |
| Location | Fallowfield, East Chesterton, Cambridge |
Partners and Funders
Primary funder was the National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund (River CamCAN), with extention funding from the Pebble Fund at Cambridge Water/South Staffordshire Water.