Gurnard Roads Revolution To Cut Storm Overflows

An Isle of Wight village is going green to help reduce storm overflow activity. 

Gurnard will be the first place on the Island to have its roads revamped with new sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) like raingardens and tree pits when work starts at the end of January 2025.

The scheme is part of a partnership with Isle of Wight Council and Southern Water to slow the flow of rainwater entering our sewers.

It is when these pipes become overloaded by this influx of water that storm overflows are more likely to be activated – to prevent homes and communities from flooding.

The work in Gurnard, across 1.72 hectares of roadside land, is forecast to prevent around 170,000 litres of water from entering our sewers during a 10mm rainfall event – equivalent to more than 700,000 cups of tea.

Ahead of work starting, a drop-in event at Gurnard Village Hall, Worsley Road, is planned for Sunday 15 December from 2pm to 5pm. 

Keith Herbert, of Southern Water’s Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force, said: 

“We are very excited about getting to work in Gurnard to re-green these roads and create a natural solution to the issue of water running off roads and ending up in our sewer network. 

“A big proportion of the water that gets into our sewer network on the Isle of Wight comes from roads and roofs.

"This project is the start of major work re-greening roads across the island that will make a real difference in our ongoing work to reduce storm overflows. “ 

Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for Planning, Coastal Protection, and Flooding at the Isle of Wight Council, said: 

"We are committed to implementing sustainable solutions that not only address immediate concerns like storm overflows but also contribute to the long-term environmental health of our community. 

"This project in Gurnard is a significant step towards creating a greener, more resilient infrastructure on the Isle of Wight.

Additionally, we anticipate a potential improvement to bathing water quality, given the impact of surface water on outflows entering local beaches." 

The scheme follows news that the Task Force’s work on the Island has already helped make a difference in reducing storm overflows, with 300 spills prevented in two years.