SuDS in London - a guide

6.1 Implementation
In Chapter 3, the range of components
which can be used in London were
explored, while Chapter 4 illustrated how
these might be applied to a variety of
indicative street scenarios. Although much
of this guidance highlights opportunities
to implement SuDS in London, this chapter
describes the requirements for a SuDS
team and recommends the design process
to follow.
Much of the detail can be found in the
CIRIA 753 The SuDS Manual, from
which the design process diagram has
been adapted.
6.2 SuDS
design team
The SuDS design team must be assembled at
project inception and operate collaboratively.
The team is likely to include:
• Highways engineer for the planning,
design, construction, operation and
maintenance considerations
• Landscape, urban design and landscape
management to guide the form, shape
and long-term sustainability of features,
particularly early in the process
• Drainage engineer to ensure
the proposed design will
provide effective drainage
• Ecologist and/or arboriculturist
to enable maximum biodiversity
benefit to be delivered
• Soil scientist, in particular to examine
the potential of existing soils to
accommodate SuDS infrastructure
and street tree planting. This will also
inform the below-ground specification
Meadow planting: low maintenance, high
biodiversity, deep rooting erosion control,
less mowing and less compaction
Multi-disciplinary collaboration is
fundamental to achieving integrated and
sustainable drainage within London’s
streets. It ensures innovative ideas can
be tested and assessed, while minimising
impact on the decision-making process and
maximising opportunity and benefits. This
requires a range of specialists, technical
staff and stakeholders to work together.
The team can be led by the highway
engineer, landscape architect/urban
designer, or drainage engineer working with
specialist consultants. Schemes that form
part of wider initiatives can be led by a
126 6 Implementation