Sutton and Kingston councils are deploying sensors to monitor rising water levels to help reduce the risk of disruption from road closures caused by surface water flooding.

Kingston has suffered from major flooding in the past, which has resulted in the borough’s road network grinding to a halt in the town centre.

The sensors, alongside an email early warning notification, will allow both councils to monitor rising water levels and alert their drainage contractors to respond to any surface water flooding.

The councils are working alongside Aquasition as part of the South London Partnership InnOvaTe Project.

“These measures will provide much needed confidence to local businesses that the council has put in measures to reduce the risk of road closure disruption caused by surface water flooding,” said councillor Tim Cobbett, deputy leader of Kingston Council. “It will allow the council to provide members and major stakeholders with an early warning of any disruption that may occur at these hotspot areas.”

The areas within Kingston Town Centre that will benefit from this scheme include Richmond Road Bridge, Seven Kings Way, Kingston Road Bridge, London Road, Coombe Road Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Road.

Councillor Manuel Abellan, chair of the environment & sustainable transport committee, said: “We are excited to be working with Aquasition to pilot this technology which aims to improve road safety for our residents and businesses in Sutton.”

Abellan added: “The scheme will notify our teams in advance about any rising water levels which may occur, supporting them to take early intervention to stop any surface water flooding.

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