NEW RAIN GARDENS IN CENTRAL LONDON TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT NETWORK AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE 

The new Marylebone Flyover rain gardens are the largest sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in central London. Equivalent to the size of 10 New Routemaster buses and with more than 3,500 square metres of water collection area, this project will boost biodiversity, improve surface drainage, and make the network more resilient to climate change and flooding. Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said, “addressing the important issue of surface water flooding is one of many ways we are working with partners like TfL to make London more climate resilient, creating a fairer, greener city for all”.

The planted gardens can be seen on three corners of the road within the Marylebone Flyover underpass and are about 300 square metres when combined. They have been planted with 11 trees, 95 shrubs, more than 1,100 perennial plants and almost 2,300 bulbs in total. All have been chosen to support pollinating insects and can thrive in local climate and soil conditions so require minimal maintenance.

Londoners can spot flowering species like pink geraniums, orange-coloured Kniphofia and blue wood-aster in full bloom, adding colour and life to the urban streets. 

Porous rain gardens such as this are vital when significant storms occur by helping to prevent flooding on busy roads. The Marylebone rain garden scheme is a collaboration between TfL, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Thames Water, with the Marble Arch London BID committed to fund and run the maintenance work on the gardens. It was part funded by Thames Water and the GLA under the Green Infrastructure Fund programme where £1 million was allocated for greening projects on the TfL Road Network. TfL’s most recent Business Plan sets out their plans to invest £6 million, between now and 2027/8, to improve its understanding of the impacts of climate change, as well as help supplement existing projects to add additional green infrastructure and SuDS. 

TfL’s highways-based SuDS will not only reduce flooding risks but also support biodiversity and improve water quality in London’s rivers, supporting the Mayor’s ambition to achieve swimmable rivers in the capital by 2034. More sustainable drainage is a key part of TfL’s plans to make the capital more resilient and biodiverse, and the completed Marylebone Flyover rain gardens have enabled TfL to reach more than 70 per cent of its current annual target.

Craig Boorman, Principal Environmental Engineer at Thames Water stated, “this unique regeneration project shows how sustainable drainage can help our capital city to adapt to the impacts of more intense rainfall, while also being beautiful and enhancing for local communities- the solution is to turn our landscape from grey to green.”

CAN FOOD & DRINK BE THE NEW “SOCIAL GLUE”

The shift to remote work during the pandemic redefined work-life balance and transformed the traditional workplace model. For many it brought flexibility and the ability to balance work and life more effectively, but in turn it has fostered a new level of isolation, where 27% of employees now report feeling lonely at work*. 

Loneliness in the workplace has long been a significant, yet often overlooked issue, and research over the past several decades highlights its profound impact on people’s health and well-being. The absence of in-person interactions means reduced social connections and that sense of community that often comes with a permanent office setting. BMC Public Health states that loneliness carries a mortality risk comparable to that of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, highlighting that social connection isn’t just a nicety—it’s now a necessity.

A recent report titled The Power of Socialisation, initiated by the Global Eating at Work 2023 study, brought home this fact, and has also highlighted how food and drink can play a crucial role as the “social glue” in the modern workplace. Nearly half of employees said they wanted to socialise with their colleagues more often and 92% said workplace events should include food and beverages. With hybrid working models flourishing, employees are increasingly selective about their in-office days, emphasising that these should offer genuine value, especially in fostering social connections.

Bringing it back to the office. 

In this report, employees expressed a desire for more frequent short breaks throughout their working day – wanting to use this time to leverage food and beverage (F&B) facilities to connect with colleagues. There was also a strong preference for a broad selection of culinary options to be provided, to celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity among coworkers. “Having food and drink facilities at work encourages weekly social lunches for 74% of employees, compared to 48% without F&B amenities”.

(insight piece provided by Restaurant Associates).