Just over the border into Wales, the town of Caldicot has a rich history. As indicated by ancient relics found nearby, the area was settled by the Normans and was well known to the Romans. Largely a farming market village with some river trade, the village grew around the church and the castle.
Once the railway had been laid to Cardiff, the village grew to accommodate the workers and grew again when the Severn Tunnel was constructed. The last major growth took place when the Government made the decision that nearby Llanwern was a suitable site for a new steelworks, and that Caldicot could support with housing. The building of the Severn Bridge added to this, with Caldicot becoming a town in 1953.
The heart of the town was Newport Road, a key area for shopping. This was likely near to the old Roman Road which ran through the centre of the village between Newport and Caerwent. This area was pedestrianised during the 1980’s, and a new superstore was built behind the town centre.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Just over the border into Wales, the town of Caldicot has a rich history. As indicated by ancient relics found nearby, the area was settled by the Normans and was well known to the Romans. Largely a farming market village with some river trade, the village grew around the church and the castle.
Once the railway had been laid to Cardiff, the village grew to accommodate the workers and grew again when the Severn Tunnel was constructed. The last major growth took place when the Government made the decision that nearby Llanwern was a suitable site for a new steelworks, and that Caldicot could support with housing. The building of the Severn Bridge added to this, with Caldicot becoming a town in 1953.
The heart of the town was Newport Road, a key area for shopping. This was likely near to the old Roman Road which ran through the centre of the village between Newport and Caerwent. This area was pedestrianised during the 1980’s, and a new superstore was built behind the town centre.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Monmouthshire County Council, working with the local authority, began a programme of improvement works to the town centre. The works were designed to improve pedestrian access, limit vehicular access, update shopfronts and paving, and enhance the visual appeal and functionality of the public space. Roberts Limbrick, working with Chris Jones Studio, worked on a design which regenerated and renewed the town centre, creating a people priority scheme. The Council’s vision also looked to centre the regeneration around the unique Caldicot Cross war memorial, made from thousands of pieces of slate.
To support pedestrians and encourage sustainable travel, the space has been redesigned to improve connections with other forms of eco-friendly transport. Bus stops have been relocated to less visually prominent positions and upgraded to meet modern accessibility standards. Clear, intuitive pathways for both pedestrians and cyclists now link the square seamlessly to local and national active travel routes, with a key connection along nearby Church Road.
Part of the original plan for the Caldicot Crossroads regeneration included a large-scale, integrated Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) designed to manage surface water runoff from building roofs and extensive hard landscaping across the town centre. The ambition was to create a centralised system capable of capturing and treating stormwater on-site, helping to reduce flood risk, relieve pressure on the existing drainage network, and improve water quality before discharge.
However, during the design and construction phases, significant below-ground constraints were discovered that made the implementation of a large central SuDS feature unviable. In response to these challenges, the drainage strategy was reconfigured and a series of SuDS-enabled tree pits were strategically installed. Each of these tree pits acts as a mini drainage system, collecting rainwater from adjacent impermeable surfaces, allowing it to filter through specially designed soil media, and gradually infiltrate into the ground or drain away.
This alternative not only maintained the core environmental goals of the project—such as stormwater attenuation, pollution filtration, and enhanced biodiversity—but also allowed for greater flexibility in construction and integration.
The mixture of GreenBlue Urban ArborFlow systems, raingardens and other smaller SuDS features have transformed this town centre. The large tree pits were constructed using RootSpace soil cells, designed to protect and maintain the soil in optimal condition for healthy root growth. To further support soil vitality, ArborVent aeration units were installed, ensuring the soil remained well-aerated and biologically active.
GreenBlue Urban Root Directors were incorporated to guide developing roots downward into the RootSpace system, preventing surface disruption and encouraging strong, deep root establishment. To secure the trees in place, ArborGuy underground guying systems were used, providing stability without visible supports. Additionally, to give each tree the best possible start, RootStart mycorrhizal inoculant – a beneficial fungus – was applied to the root balls, helping the young trees establish quickly and thrive in their new environment.
The finished project shows a measured improvement; the town centre is geared towards pedestrian use, but with controlled entrances, delivery vehicles can access the properties. The green infrastructure elements now well established, giving shade and cooling in the summer, and attenuating water in wetter times of the year.
Monmouthshire County Council, working with the local authority, began a programme of improvement works to the town centre. The works were designed to improve pedestrian access, limit vehicular access, update shopfronts and paving, and enhance the visual appeal and functionality of the public space. Roberts Limbrick, working with Chris Jones Studio, worked on a design which regenerated and renewed the town centre, creating a people priority scheme. The Council’s vision also looked to centre the regeneration around the unique Caldicot Cross war memorial, made from thousands of pieces of slate.
To support pedestrians and encourage sustainable travel, the space has been redesigned to improve connections with other forms of eco-friendly transport. Bus stops have been relocated to less visually prominent positions and upgraded to meet modern accessibility standards. Clear, intuitive pathways for both pedestrians and cyclists now link the square seamlessly to local and national active travel routes, with a key connection along nearby Church Road.
Part of the original plan for the Caldicot Crossroads regeneration included a large-scale, integrated Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) designed to manage surface water runoff from building roofs and extensive hard landscaping across the town centre. The ambition was to create a centralised system capable of capturing and treating stormwater on-site, helping to reduce flood risk, relieve pressure on the existing drainage network, and improve water quality before discharge.
However, during the design and construction phases, significant below-ground constraints were discovered that made the implementation of a large central SuDS feature unviable. In response to these challenges, the drainage strategy was reconfigured and a series of SuDS-enabled tree pits were strategically installed. Each of these tree pits acts as a mini drainage system, collecting rainwater from adjacent impermeable surfaces, allowing it to filter through specially designed soil media, and gradually infiltrate into the ground or drain away.
This alternative not only maintained the core environmental goals of the project—such as stormwater attenuation, pollution filtration, and enhanced biodiversity—but also allowed for greater flexibility in construction and integration.
The mixture of GreenBlue Urban ArborFlow systems, raingardens and other smaller SuDS features have transformed this town centre. The large tree pits were constructed using RootSpace soil cells, designed to protect and maintain the soil in optimal condition for healthy root growth. To further support soil vitality, ArborVent aeration units were installed, ensuring the soil remained well-aerated and biologically active.
GreenBlue Urban Root Directors were incorporated to guide developing roots downward into the RootSpace system, preventing surface disruption and encouraging strong, deep root establishment. To secure the trees in place, ArborGuy underground guying systems were used, providing stability without visible supports. Additionally, to give each tree the best possible start, RootStart mycorrhizal inoculant – a beneficial fungus – was applied to the root balls, helping the young trees establish quickly and thrive in their new environment.
The finished project shows a measured improvement; the town centre is geared towards pedestrian use, but with controlled entrances, delivery vehicles can access the properties. The green infrastructure elements now well established, giving shade and cooling in the summer, and attenuating water in wetter times of the year.
Caldicot Crossroads illustrates that even when initial plans for large-scale sustainable drainage had to be scaled back due to site constraints, thoughtful design and innovative green infrastructure solutions can still deliver significant environmental benefits. The project demonstrates how integrating sustainable drainage with urban greening not only improves water management but also enhances the aesthetic, ecological, and social value of a town centre, creating a healthier, more inviting space for the community.
Six years after planting, the trees installed in 2019 are thriving. By tracking projects over the years, not just months, GreenBlue Urban can illustrate actual performance and improve future urban greening efforts. This long-term perspective helps our team deliver better recommendations and demonstrates the lasting value of our work to clients and communities alike. GreenBlue Urban were pleased to work closely with Capita Infrastructure on the drainage design, with Roberts Limbrick on the concept, Alun Griffiths contractors and EcoVigour on the installation.
Caldicot Crossroads illustrates that even when initial plans for large-scale sustainable drainage had to be scaled back due to site constraints, thoughtful design and innovative green infrastructure solutions can still deliver significant environmental benefits. The project demonstrates how integrating sustainable drainage with urban greening not only improves water management but also enhances the aesthetic, ecological, and social value of a town centre, creating a healthier, more inviting space for the community.
Six years after planting, the trees installed in 2019 are thriving. By tracking projects over the years, not just months, GreenBlue Urban can illustrate actual performance and improve future urban greening efforts. This long-term perspective helps our team deliver better recommendations and demonstrates the lasting value of our work to clients and communities alike. GreenBlue Urban were pleased to work closely with Capita Infrastructure on the drainage design, with Roberts Limbrick on the concept, Alun Griffiths contractors and EcoVigour on the installation.
