A new plan designed to help tackle flooding in the borough has been approved by Hounslow Council.

The updated Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) will help the Council understand the causes and effects of surface water flooding and agree the most cost-effective way of managing flooding risk for the long term.

A SWMP outlines the preferred methods for managing flood risk from local flood sources and will influence future Council policies such as investment in infrastructure, drainage maintenance, public engagement and understanding of the causes of flooding, land use planning, emergency planning and future housing developments.

Key to this will be how to adapt to the long-term impact on services and infrastructure associated with climate change.

The document identified 15 hotspots, including in West Brentford, from a total of 35 across the borough with a 'High' risk rating and identified 3,863 properties predicted to be at risk from the 1 in 100-year surface water flood event in Hounslow.

The Plan also sets out how the Council can use co-ordinated action plans with partners such as neighbouring boroughs, Thames Water, the Environment Agency, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL).

Currently, several long-term projects around Hounslow are being discussed with the Council, Thames Water and the GLA to introduce improved and sustainable drainage systems.

The Thames Water Strategic Partnership (TWSP) is a five-year project running from 2020-2025 which will see £3million invested to improve surface water management by incorporating sustainable drainage systems across the Borough, with initial investigations to be carried out this autumn and winter.

The Council are working with the Environment Agency on area-specific Flood Alleviation schemes which will cover northwest Hounslow; Feltham; Isleworth and Brentford End; Chiswick and Grove Park and will also involve installing sustainable drainage systems.

The Council have said the Highways team use specialist equipment to regularly unblock gutters and drains around the Borough to prevent localised issues.

New ponds at Pevensey Road Nature Reserve are being built to increase flood capacity along the River Crane; as well as installing measures in Cranford Park to improve the flow of the river.

Cllr Pritam Grewal Hounslow Council Cabinet Member for Contingency Planning, Resilience and Flood Risk Management said: "Unfortunately we saw a number of flooding incidents during heavy rain this summer and this Plan sets out what we intend to do to try and minimise the effects of flooding for residents as part of our wider Climate Emergency Action Plan.

"Every flooded house causes considerable expense, not to mention the stress and emotional toll, so we would encourage residents to also take action to reduce the risk of flooding if they can, and make sure they are prepared in advance if flooding does occur.

"Planning ahead can mean checking your home's flood risk and signing up to flood warnings, as well as taking some simple steps such as checking your insurance, knowing how to turn off your gas, electricity and water or finding out where to go to get help."

The full plan can be read, here.

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