The SuDS through Streetworks Market (SSM) is pioneering a new approach to delivering flood resilience infrastructure across London. 

By connecting organisations seeking flood risk reduction with utility companies already undertaking streetworks, the market aims to accelerate SuDS delivery while reducing disruption and improving value for money. 

As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of rainfall events, London faces growing challenges from surface water flooding. SuDS are a proven way to reduce flood risk while delivering wider benefits such as improved biodiversity, greener neighbourhoods and enhanced public spaces. 

However, delivering SuDS at scale remains difficult. Traditional approaches often require multiple organisations to independently identify opportunities, secure funding, coordinate approvals and manage delivery. These processes can be complex, fragmented and resource-intensive, limiting the pace at which schemes can be implemented. 

The SSM is being developed to address these challenges through an innovative market-based approach. 

Developed by the Greater London Authority in partnership with Thames Water and funded through the Ofwat Innovation Fund, the SSM is the UK's first environmental services market for SuDS. 

The programme connects organisations seeking flood risk reduction outcomes, such as local authorities, water companies and other flood risk management organisations, with utility companies and their delivery partners already carrying out planned streetworks. 

By aligning SuDS delivery with works that are happening anyway, the market creates opportunities to install sustainable drainage infrastructure more efficiently. Rather than digging up the same road multiple times for different projects, organisations can coordinate activity, reducing disruption to residents and businesses while improving value for money. 

The market also provides a framework for collaboration, helping to bring together stakeholders that may not traditionally work together on drainage schemes. 

The programme has already delivered significant progress through its earlier development phases. We have successfully delivered pilot schemes across five London boroughs, proving the feasibility of incorporating SuDS into planned streetworks programmes. 

Alongside these pilots, the project developed a range of tools and resources to support future delivery, including: 

These foundations will help support a scalable, transparent and effective marketplace capable of delivering SuDS across London. 

Following the successful award of further funding through the Ofwat Innovation Fund in 2026, the programme is now entering its mobilisation phase. 

Over the next five years, the SSM aims to deliver 100 SuDS schemes through two market rounds focused on the Central and Lee Valley catchment areas. The programme will establish the systems, governance arrangements and partnerships needed to support long-term market operation while demonstrating how coordinated streetworks can unlock greater delivery of climate resilience infrastructure. 

A key ambition is to build a collaborative network of more than 40 organisations across London's infrastructure sector, creating new opportunities for investment, innovation and partnership working. 

The SSM has the potential to transform how sustainable drainage is delivered, turning routine streetworks into opportunities to reduce flood risk, improve biodiversity and create greener, more resilient communities. 

By combining infrastructure coordination with environmental outcomes, the programme offers a practical model for accelerating climate adaptation in urban areas. 

As the market develops, it aims to demonstrate how collaboration, data and innovative delivery models can help cities meet growing environmental challenges while making the most of investment already taking place beneath our streets