Kingston and Sutton Councils deploy technology to help prevent flooding
Sutton and Kingston Councils, together with Aquasition, are deploying sensors to monitor rising water levels to help reduce the risk of disruption from road closures caused by surface water flooding.
Kingston has previously suffered from major surface water flooding that has resulted in the borough’s road network grinding to a halt within Kingston Town Centre.
The sensors to be installed as part of the South London Partnership InnOvaTe Project. Along with an email early warning notification, this will allow both councils to monitor rising water levels and alert our drainage contractors to respond to any surface water flooding.
Councillor Tim Cobbett, Deputy Leader of Kingston Council, said:
“These measures will provide much needed confidence to local businesses that the council has put in measures to reduce the risk of road closure disruption caused by surface water flooding. It will allow the council to provide members and major stakeholders with an early warning of any disruption that may occur at these hotspot areas.”
The areas within Kingston Town Centre that will benefit from this scheme include Richmond Road Bridge, Seven Kings Way, Kingston Road Bridge, London Road, Coombe Road Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Road.
Councillor Manuel Abellan, Chair of the Environment & Sustainable Transport Committee, said:
“We are excited to be working with Aquasition to pilot this technology which aims to improve road safety for our residents and businesses in Sutton.
“The scheme will notify our teams in advance about any rising water levels which may occur, supporting them to take early intervention to stop any surface water flooding.
“We’re delighted that we have been able to make this happen and look forward to the impact this trial makes.”