SuDS in London - a guide

3.3 Infiltration
systems
London’s parks, gardens and green space
provide large scale SuDS infiltration in the
open soil, coupled with the interception
that parkland trees provide. Infiltration
systems also exist at a smaller scale, for
example, kerb inlets, grass verges and
permeable paving.
Designed infiltration systems can include
the following sustainable drainage
components:
• Soakaways: pits that temporarily
provide storage before infiltration
• Trenches: linear soakaways and strips
of grass that are predominantly dry, but
in heavy rainfall, fill up and store water
for a period of time before infiltration
• Infiltration basins: depressions
performing the same
function as trenches
• Blankets: open, flat areas of grass,
allowing infiltration over a wider
area than a trench or basin.
St James' Park: London’s parks allow water to infiltrate. Soil compaction through high footfall
may reduce permeability
37 3 SuDS components