What is a swale? What do SuDS look like?

A swale is a water conveyance feature which is typically a wide, shallow depression. They are used around the world in sustainable drainage to hold stormwater for a short time and alleviate flooding.

Below are some images of swales in the UK and beyond:

Examples of swales, basins and other conveyances

Swale in Upton, Northamptonshire	Conveyance in Malmo, Sweden	Retention basin in Ipswich
Swale at the Olympic Park London	Conveyance at the Eden Project Cornwall	Sheffield, Yorkshire

What improvements can we make as part of WaterShed Truro?

To be 'sustainable', a sustainable drainage feature should enhance the urban environment and the design of it should be led by the community.

This is why we have conducted a consulation in the park and set up a working party to help with the design of the swale.

The working party is advising us on the different ways the park is used - from picnicking to toboganning - so that we can design it to fit in with its current use.

The swale should provide new opportunities for play and learning, whether through new wildlife opportunites or new spaces for ball games.

We are also investigating the feasibility of enhancing the existing play equipment in the park.

Our park is small and the only play space in the area. Will we lose playing space?

We can construct the swale so that it provides more and better play space by putting in stepping stones, improving the access, and landscaping it so that you have more flat ground for picnics or informal football.

The exact design will be directed by the community working party so that it matches as closely as possible community aspirations for the park.