Rain gardens installed in Swansea communities

A series of improvements aimed at increasing green infrastructure, creating better walking and cycle links and increasing protection against flooding are being installed in a Swansea community.

Plants, shrubs and improved pedestrian areas are part of a number of measures, better known as ‘rain gardens’ and are currently being created at key locations within the Sandfields/St Helen’s area. Rain gardens capture water runoff from the road and pavements. Its trees, shrubs and flowers help reduce the risk of flooding and help decrease pollution getting into waterways and harming ecosystems.

They also offer food and shelter to pollinators all year round and provides a splash of colour through the seasons. The improvements are also part of Swansea Council’s efforts to introduce better walking and cycling infrastructure across the city, following a successful grant bid to the Welsh Government’s Active Travel programme.

Further funding for the scheme has been provided via the Welsh Government - Local Places for Nature fund and Natural Resources Wales. Sites currently being improved include Phillips Parade and Rodney Street.

The improvements follow on from previous consultation with residents and businesses in the area and was supported by community regeneration experts - Urban Foundry, who helped develop the innovative plans. The latest works follow on from similar measures which have been completed directly outside St Helen’s Primary School. Improved paving was also installed, along with dropped kerbs, providing better access for those travelling to and from the school, whether on foot or using bikes and scooters.

Stuart Davies, Head of Service for Transport and Highways in Swansea Council, said: “These innovative measures are providing local communities with a range of benefits where links between streets for walkers and cyclists are improved.

“The introduction of rain gardens also provides a green and sustainable solution for spots within communities where standing water can occur during heavy rainfall. A further ‘rain garden’ has been installed at the end of Burrows Road, adjacent to Oystermouth Road. The rain garden projects are all part of the council’s vision to help develop greener spaces, cleaner air and lower carbon emissions in communities across the city