River Arrow Project: The Production of Guidlines for the Implementation of SUDS in the River Arrow Catchment, Warwickshire and Worcestershire: A Critical Evaluation

Urbanisation and associated increases in impermeable areas has a significant impact on the natural hydrological cycle, by reducing infiltration and increasing direct runoff. The impact on the water environment can be devastating. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are a collection of urban drainage features that differ from 'traditional' or 'artificial' piped systems, by aiming to imitate natural processes and control runoff rates and volumes. While a range of guidance exists on the design and principles of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) methodologies, there is less emphasis on guidance in the selection process for specific building developments. The River Arrow project, involving collaboration between the Environment Agency (Lower Severn Area) and GEMRU, University of Gloucestershire, focused on devising specific guidance for determining SUDS suitability and selection for specific developments, using the Warwickshire A.now as case-study (SUDS Guidelines). The guidance included a decision-making flowchart with principles transferable to other inland, lowland basins and a zoning methodology specific to development sites within the Arrow catchment. The basic principle is that the suitability of SUDS should be determined initially by their physical suitability alone and that, where practicable, the site should be considered in a catchment context. The results of the assessment can then be used to support the user in tackling the institutional constraints. This research thesis critically evaluates the strengths and limitations, and transferability, of both the guidance and the methodological process involved with its production. The research and its outputs fill a significant gap in the field of SUDS in the UK