You may have noticed the newly dug pond by the railway crossing near Vine Road, which is part of our Community BlueScapes initiative. This project is designed to improve surface water drainage in the area, especially after heavy rain, which often floods the road and nearby footpaths. The pond will help manage this issue by absorbing excess floodwater, while also enhancing the local ecosystem.
One unique feature of the pond is the standing deadwood at its centre, a valuable habitat for saproxylic invertebrates. These insects rely on decaying wood for survival, contributing significantly to biodiversity. In fact, around 7% of the 2,000 invertebrate species in Britain are saproxylic. These creatures play a crucial role in the ecosystem, breaking down dead wood and providing food for birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
The area will soon be planted with native species to further boost biodiversity, and fencing has now been installed to protect the site and the public.
This new pond is a win-win for both flood management and local wildlife, contributing to a healthier, more resilient environment for the community. Keep an eye out for its transformation as planting begins and the ecosystem around it thrives.
Working in partnership with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT) and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), we have been awarded £6m from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to increase flood resilience in the Beverley Brook’s catchment in Richmond and areas of Wandsworth. The Community BlueScapes project runs over 6 years and is part of the £200m Flood and Coastal Resilience and Innovation Programme, managed by the Environment Agency (EA). We were one of 25 programmes selected to drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate, across the country. To find out more about the project, visit the Community BlueScapes website,