Flood prevention and managing the risk of flooding

Located at Leatherhead Road, Chessington, the Sir Francis Barker Recreation Ground provides facilities including a children’s playground, tennis court and a multi-use playing field used for football and during the cricket season. 

The Scheme

The scheme is part of Kingston’s wider Local Flood Risk Management Strategy approved by the Council’s Place Committee early in 2023 and published in March 2023, and also part of proposals under the Hook Flood Alleviation Scheme. The scheme is planned to protect the recreation ground and roads and residential areas beyond the northern boundary of the Sir Francis Barker Recreation Ground, which have been subject to flooding on many occasions. In the region of 205 properties in the area have been found to be at risk of flooding. 

This scheme consists of the creation of a flood alleviation basin at the northern boundary of the recreation grounds, which will sit between the existing tennis court to the west and the existing playground to the east. The aim of this intervention is to increase local resilience, reduce the impact and frequency of flooding in these grounds, and also the adjacent properties (including Barwell Lane and Charles Babbage Close) and downstream properties (Hook Critical Drainage Area), by redirecting and capturing the water runoff in the new basin and releasing it back into the Thames Water drainage system in a controlled way.

The flood alleviation basin is not a permanent pond, but an area that will capture excess water from time to time and is designed to reach no more than one metre in depth. It will be surrounded by a permanent one-metre barrier making it safe for residents and dog-walkers. The area will also allow for the natural development of a biodiverse area within the barrier. 

You can view pdf plans and handout with images and details of the scheme 

Timeline

The Hook Flood Alleviation Scheme Budget was included in the Council Capital Programme for 2020/21. Following resident’s meetings and community information and consultations during 2023 and 2024 and with residents of Charles Babbage Close in March 2025, it is now planned that the scheme will be implemented during Summer 2025.

Next Steps - work commencing Summer 2025

Work to create the flood alleviation basin is scheduled to begin this Summer from May 2025 and take approximately three months. The works access will be from Barwell Lane and is designed to have minimal interference with the cricket pitch or playground. 

Before commencement we are planning an open drop-in event at Chessington Cricket Club on 13 May, when local community and residents will be able to view the plans and talk to the project team. 

EVENT

Sir Francis Barker Flood Alleviation Scheme
Community Drop-In Event
13 May 2025
3.30pm to 7.30pm
Chessington Cricket Club
Sir Francis Barker Recreation Ground
210 Leatherhead Rd
Chessington KT9 2NB

Frequently Asked Question

Q. Will any of the pitches or playground be unusable during work?
A. The playground and football pitches will be unaffected. There will be very minor works to the boundary of the cricket pitch which will be planned around matches. The tennis court will be closed for the duration of construction.

Q. What are the safety measures against people and pets falling in / drowning?
A. A secure 1.2 meter high fence will surround the area with two access gates for maintenance. The sides of the basin are designed to be easily walkable. 

Q. Will it work?
A. The basin is positioned to align with the direction of runoff flow from the fields and is connected to the ditch. It will capture stormwater and release it back into the Thames Water system, reducing the amount of runoff downstream. The basin will store water upto a 1 in 100 year rainfall event with a 40% additional allowance for climate change. Surface water from Barwell Lane and Leatherhead Road will not be intercepted however the basin will create capacity in the main system. 

Q. Will it attract mosquitoes and midges?
A. The basin will only fill in flood conditions and for a maximum of 12 hours, so it is unlikely to present an issue with mosquitos and midges who prefer consistently wet conditions. 

Q. What maintenance is required?
A. Inspection of pipes and manholes periodically to check for any visible blockages or silt buildup. Cleaning the pipes as needed to remove any blockages that may obstruct water flow. Clearing vegetation/debris if it collects within the basin.

Q. Will trees need to be removed and will they be replaced?
A. One tree next to Barwell Lane and three trees at the upstream end of the basin will be removed, categorised as Category C by an arboricultural survey. These will be replaced with 10 young trees, native to the area. 

Q. Can I walk my dog around the flood basin?
A. Yes, dogs can be walked around the area when it is dry