Drainage systems have gone in around flood-hit areas of South Hampstead

A SERIES of flood defence systems have been installed in a road where homes have been devastated by torrential downpours and mains pipe bursts – following a community campaign.

Nine underground water bunkers – that work by slowly-releasing flood water into the main sewage system – have been fitted beneath tree pits in Goldhurst Terrace.

The Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), which are topped with spring flowers, are the product of a long-running campaign by the South Hampstead Flood Action Group (SHFAG).

The group’s chair Joan Munro told the New Journal that defence units are set to come – in Fairhazel Gardens and also the “Spanish Steps” at the bottom of Netherhall Gardens off Finchley Road.

Ms Munro said: “Even though lots is being done locally to try to reduce the impact of flooding, your home could still be vulnerable. Much more extreme rainstorms and more frequent rainstorms are predicted in future. Rain gardens and SuDS will help, but people living in below ground level flats would be wise to ensure they are protected by their own property flood resilience measures. For example, it’s worth fitting anti-flood air bricks, as well as non-return valves, buying a puddle pump, and considering whether you need a flood door or a flood gate.”

In July 2021, hundreds of homes were affected in Camden during flash floods where a month’s worth of rain fell in a few hours without warning. South Hampstead was one of the borough’s worst affected areas, particularly in Goldhurst Terrace and Belsize Road.

Just before Christmas in December 2022, several homes close to the South Hampstead roundabout had to be evacuated around Belsize Road due to a mains pipe burst.

The chaos led to the formation of the SHFAG that has liaised with Camden Council, City Hall, Environment Agency and DEFRA over four and a half years to bring in the changes.

The group has recently secured £25,000 for an expert to work-up a proposal to fit more measures.

Ms Munro, who lives in Goldhurst Terrace, said: “The water from Hampstead just doesn’t affect us. It also runs down to Kilburn Priory, Maida Vale and it is even blamed for flooding as far as Hammersmith. The more we can hold back and hold in Hampstead the better.”

She added: “All the predictions that big storms are going to get much worse and much more frequent in the future.”