Contractors have demolished the raised planters and are building rain gardens to help reduce flood risks.

Waltham Forest Council was successful in securing funding from Transport for London’s (TfL) Green and Healthy Streets Fund to redesign streets to integrate green infrastructure and climate resilience measures (such as trees, pocket parks and sustainable drainage), alongside interventions that support active travel, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

The four planters will be replaced with larger raingardens and sustainable drainage features to increase the amount of rainwater the current drainage network can contain. The permeable surface layers allow surface water to flow into the raingarden during rainfall and storm events. This stored rainwater is then released into the sewer network at a controlled rate, after the storm event has passed, helping to prevent flooding in the area.

Raingardens also provide an improved ecological habitat with pollinating plants that enhance the biodiversity while also improving to look and feel of the area.

The footways adjacent to the planter in Devonshire Road and Rutland Road will also be widened and resurfaced to provide a more accessible and aesthetically improved space.