Specialist monitoring equipment for SuDS project

Flood and pollution prevention experts, Detectronic, have installed specialist monitoring equipment for a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) scheme at Bridget Joyce Square in London.

Located on Australia Road in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. Bridget Joyce Square is an urban oasis and valuable community space within the White City Estate that has been specifically created by retrofitting Sustainable Drainage Systems.

Explains Phill Tuxford, sales and technical support engineer for Detectronic: “The idea for the scheme originated from the local community and they’ve been significantly involved throughout the entire process.

“We have supported the project by specifying and providing monitoring equipment for the SuDS scheme. Our initial task was to install four depth sensors, one soil moisture sensor and a weather station to monitor temperature, humidity and wind speed and direction.

“The aim of the monitoring is to provide a robust dataset which will enable those involved to quantify the benefits of the scheme and to form the basis of a case study for future SuDS schemes in the UK.”

Continues Phill: “The end result of the project has created a social focal point for the White City Estate, including an events space with improved security, biodiversity and amenity benefits.

“The innovative design embraces rainfall through irrigation and use in a playful feature rather than treating it as a hazard. It also helps to slow runoff to the sewer thus reducing flooding locally and in areas further down the sewer network. At the same time, local children from ten different schools within a 1km radius of the site are reaping educational benefits through their direct involvement in the project.”

Concludes Phill: “We were delighted to hear that the project was one of 13 shortlisted for the ‘Evening Standard People’s Choice Award’ in the ICE London Civil Engineering Awards 2016.