South Wales Evening Post

City raingarden aims to tackle flooding issues

A RESIDENTIA­L street near Swansea seafront is now home to a new kind of installati­on that aims to create space for nature while also helping fight climate change.

The Burrows Road raingarden is designed to be a sustainabl­e solution to upgrade the Burrows Road drainage system, building resilience to climate change and contributi­ng to nature recovery.

It captures water run-off from the road and pavements, with its trees, shrubs and flowers helping reduce the risk of flooding. It also helps to decrease pollution getting into waterways and harming ecosystems.

In addition, it offers food and shelter to pollinator­s and provides a splash of colour through the seasons.

It has been installed by Swansea Council in partnershi­p with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and was funded by a Welsh Government Local Places for Nature grant.

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for environmen­t and infrastruc­ture, said: “It’s great to see this innovative and attractive addition to the Sandfields street scene.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the raingarden. It enhances the street’s appearance and will play a crucial role in improving drainage, supporting wildlife and providing a year-round haven for pollinator­s. This project is a great example of how we work with our partners to create practical solutions that benefit residents and the environmen­t.”

Fran Rolfe, senior environmen­t officer, Natural Resources Wales, said: “It’s fantastic to see the raingarden being planted near the seafront.

“Positioned right next to the beach, it will help reduce the risk of pollution as well as prevent local flooding. It will also provide a home for wildlife, looks great and I hope will be enjoyed by the community and visitors.”

The council has declared a climate and nature emergency. Working with NRW, it is trialling solutions – including the raingarden – to help reverse biodiversi­ty loss and improve people’s health and well-being.

The raingarden fitted neatly into one end of Burrows Road, meaning no loss of parking spaces.