Council Moves Forward With More Climate Resilience For Borough As Drought Declared In Kent
Maidstone Borough Council
(Copyright text and images, Maidstone Borough Council, reproduced with kind permission)
As drought is declared in Kent, Maidstone Borough Council is highlighting the projects helping communities, wildlife and green spaces become more resilient to a changing climate.
The Environment Agency has confirmed drought status for Kent following exceptionally dry weather, with media reports showing the county received just 1% of its long-term average rainfall in July and some river catchments recording exceptionally low flows. The national picture is equally serious, with large parts of England now in drought following record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures.
From saving water and reducing flood risk to restoring nature and greening the town centre, Maidstone Borough Council is delivering a range of projects designed to help the borough adapt to both extreme heat and heavy rainfall.
As hot, dry conditions become more common, the council has strengthened its approach to wildfire prevention and water management. Naturalised mowing to retain soil moisture, fire breaks to prevent spread and dedicated firefighting equipment to tackle wildfire in the early stages are helping reduce wildfire risk, while landscape management measures designed to slow the flow of water are helping soils and habitats retain moisture, reducing both drought and flood impacts.
The council has also successfully expanded its free water butt scheme. Following an initial rollout of more than 500 water butts to households in areas vulnerable to surface water flooding, a further 1,200 have been made available. Together, the scheme has the potential to save 355,000 litres of water a year while helping residents conserve water during dry spells and reduce pressure on drainage systems during heavy rain.
Work to sample and improve soil quality is helping land retain more moisture, stay greener for longer during dry periods, reduce the risk of wildfires and flooding, and absorb more rainfall when it arrives.
Across the borough, projects are helping to make communities more resilient to extreme heat. The council is also promoting Maidstone's Cool Zones Network, providing residents with access to free cool spaces across the borough during periods of hot weather warnings.
While prolonged periods of sunshine can place pressure on water resources, they also increase the potential for renewable energy generation. The council is continuing to maximise opportunities for solar energy across its own estate, helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. Through the annual Solar Together Kent scheme, residents are also being supported to install solar panels and battery storage, helping households lower their bills while contributing to a more resilient, low-carbon energy system.
In the town centre, new biodiversity-boosting bus shelters featuring living roofs, energy-efficient lighting and recyclable materials are due to replace existing shelters. The roofs have been designed to support pollinators, improve air quality and absorb rainwater to help manage surface water run-off. They will complement the town centre's existing living pillars, which provide additional habitat for insects and contribute to a greener urban environment.
Work is also under way to create new pocket parks in St Faith's Street, Brewer Street and Union Street, introducing trees, planting and rain gardens that will help cool urban areas, boost biodiversity and manage rainfall more naturally.
The council has also successfully expanded its free water butt scheme. Following an initial rollout of more than 500 water butts to households in areas vulnerable to surface water flooding, a further 1,200 have been made available. Together, the scheme has the potential to save 355,000 litres of water a year while helping residents conserve water during dry spells and reduce pressure on drainage systems during heavy rain.
Work to sample and improve soil quality is helping land retain more moisture, stay greener for longer during dry periods, reduce the risk of wildfires and flooding, and absorb more rainfall when it arrives.
Across the borough, projects are helping to make communities more resilient to extreme heat. The council is also promoting Maidstone's Cool Zones Network, providing residents with access to free cool spaces across the borough during periods of hot weather warnings.
While prolonged periods of sunshine can place pressure on water resources, they also increase the potential for renewable energy generation. The council is continuing to maximise opportunities for solar energy across its own estate, helping to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. Through the annual Solar Together Kent scheme, residents are also being supported to install solar panels and battery storage, helping households lower their bills while contributing to a more resilient, low-carbon energy system.
In the town centre, new biodiversity-boosting bus shelters featuring living roofs, energy-efficient lighting and recyclable materials are due to replace existing shelters. The roofs have been designed to support pollinators, improve air quality and absorb rainwater to help manage surface water run-off. They will complement the town centre's existing living pillars, which provide additional habitat for insects and contribute to a greener urban environment.
