Maida Vale Sustainable Drainage Proposals

Westminster City Council is seeking feedback on proposed Sustainable Drainage Systems (otherwise known as SuDS) in Maida Vale. 

The project team will use this feedback to shape design of the proposals.

This project is part of the Council’s wider SuDS Programme, which aims to reduce flood risk and make streets more climate resilient by introducing sustainable drainage in areas where they can provide the greatest benefits.

More detail on the SuDS Programme can be found here.

Have your say

Westminster City Council invites you to share your views on the Maida Vale SuDS proposals. If you would like to comment on our proposals, please complete the survey here.

The survey will close at midnight on Monday 14 December.   

If you would like to discuss the proposals with the project team, you can attend one of the following events:   

The project team will be at the events to answer your questions, and you will also be able to view information about the scheme.    

Hard-copy information and questionnaires are also available at Maida Vale Library, Sutherland Avenue, London W9 2QT. 

Maida Vale SuDS Proposals

To help reduce flood risk and manage rainwater more effectively, Westminster City Council is bringing forward proposals to deliver Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) along Maida Vale. These measures are designed to improve the area’s resilience to heavy rainfall while also enhancing the local streetscape and environment.  

The SuDS proposals for Maida Vale look to reduce surface water flooding by creating more absorbent surfaces through the installation of:   

• Permeable Paving: Permeable paving is a drainage solution which captures and stores surface water underground, allowing it to filter into a traditional drainage system at a controlled rate to reduce the risk of flooding. 
• Rain Gardens: Engineered features designed specifically to capture, store and filter rainwater runoff. They are constructed with specially designed soils, inlets and outlets. As well as reducing flood risk and improving water quality, rain gardens can include trees and planting that provide attractive green spaces and habitats for wildlife. 
• Soft Landscaping: Areas of planting introduced around existing trees to replace hard surfaces with greenery. These areas help create a more attractive streetscape, support biodiversity and allow more water and air to reach tree roots, helping to improve growing conditions. 
• Planters with Low-Level Planting: Shallow planted areas that introduce greenery where rain gardens are not practical. While their primary purpose is to enhance the streetscape and support biodiversity, they can also help slow surface water runoff and provide environmental benefits. 

You can view the proposals in more detail on the plans below:

Next steps

Once the engagement period closes, the project team will review all feedback and incorporate it in the design, where possible, before construction begins.

Construction of the Maida Vale SuDS project is expected to begin in summer 2027.  

Before construction begins, we will update the local community on the programme and explain how the works will be managed to minimise disruption.  

Contact us

From Monday 9 November to Monday 14 December, we are seeking feedback on our proposals via the survey. We will also be collecting feedback at events with hard copy surveys available at Maida Vale library. We do not expect any detailed feedback through email. However, if you have any difficulties taking part, please email suds@westminster.gov.uk.