Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Arcadian Diary August 2007

Last month I wrote about all of the rain that we have had this summer. Little did I know what was to come! Although large parts of the country were affected by devastating floods we actually suffered little damage or disruption from river flooding along our bit of the River Thames. On the whole, the Thames broke its banks in very few places and where it did the water tended to only inundate the natural flood plain in un-populated areas.

There were three reasons, which when combined, explain why the damage to our area was limited – the first of these being the way that the flood water moved downriver from the Cotswolds. In effect two different flood peaks passed downstream that luckily missed each other – one from the Isis (the name for the Thames in its upper reaches) and one form the Cherwell (a major tributary of the Thames joining the river at Oxford). Luckily the Cherwell peak moved through Oxford a couple days before the Isis peak.

The second reason is down to the way that the flood water was managed by the Environment Agency who did a remarkable job at moving the water from the flooded areas to the sea. Without this expertise many more places would have been inundated. For over a week every sluice, lock gate and weir was open along the entire river meaning that the water could move unrestricted downstream. This gave the river water a churning, murky, sinister character during the season when it would normally be gentle, calm and shimmering – quite amazing.

The final and most important reason why we did not experience devastating floods in this part of the world was the tide. The week of the floods coincided with the week of the lowest tides of the year – how lucky is that! Just a few days before or a week after the flood passed over Teddington Lock there were some big tides. Things could have been a whole lot more scary if the flooding had happened during these spring tides.

One of the more unexpected consequences of this summer’s flooding was the affect on the trip boats that make their way along the River Thames. The high river flows affectively stopped all navigation on the river during what is normally the peak tourist season. It is ironic that last summer it was the drought that stopped navigation – the exceptionally low river levels stopping the trip boats from travelling between London and Richmond as they were being grounded at Chiswick and Isleworth.

If we are to believe the predictions these weather events are only a taste of things to come. Our climate is forecast to change to a cycle of flooding and drought. This will have far reaching implications to our landscape but in the short term however, it is the affect on the trip boat industry that is causing concern with passenger numbers (and thus revenue) well down on usual.
There have been waterman making their living between our part of the river and London for centuries. This tradition was started by the famous Thames waterman who rowed their wherries up and down the river although the coming of the railways replaced this ancient industry as a means to journey between the capital and Richmond. This was by no means the end of water transport however. Coinciding with the expansion of the rail network was the growth in tourism – effectively movement for pleasure. One of the most popular excursions for Victorian England was a trip on the Thames. Messing about on the river became the order of the day.

The very first passenger steamer to ply for trade along the Thames was launched in 1814 operating between Richmond and Oxford. The boat named ‘The Richmond’ led the way for what was to become a thriving industry for over a century with many more services opening up and down the river. The first steamer to run a regular passenger service between Hampton Court and London was the Locomotive launched in 1840. Her unusual name was due to the strange noise that the engine made making it sound more like a train than a boat. This powerful engine gave the boat great speed but created excessive wash causing damage to the riverbanks between Teddington and Hampton. The problem became so bad that in 1843 the City of London enforced the first speed limit on the Thames at 2m.p.h.

Richmond and Kingston were not only linked to London but also to towns and attractions further upstream. In 1878 Salter’s established their service between Kingston and Oxford connecting many of the sites en route including Windsor, Henley and Wallingford. The most famous of the Salter’s steamers was ‘The Alaska’. The boat left Oxford every Monday morning at 9.30am – allowing enough time for the London train to reach Oxford – a great example of an integrated transport system. Following an overnight stay at Henley the steamer arrived at Kingston late Tuesday afternoon. First thing Wednesday morning she turned around and made her way back up the river to Oxford, stopping at Windsor and Reading arriving to Oxford late Friday evening.
Passenger boat services have continued to the present day with three companies offering trips in our area. Last Saturday I took the ‘steamer’ from Richmond to Westminster choosing to travel by water rather than the tube. It was extremely good value and great fun – on production of a valid travelcard the user is entitled to one third off the fare (Westminster services only). Talking to the skipper en route I was shocked to discover just how bad the past two summers have been for trade. The restrictions to navigation caused by droughts and floods have had a big impact and even when the boats are operating they are often only full on hot sunny weekends.

This boating tradition is part of our collective heritage and could be lost if we do not use the services provided. How dull a place the riverside in Richmond, Kingston or Hampton Court would be without the excitement of the passenger boats adding colour to the water. There is still plenty of summer left so get out there and use these boats – trips can be round journeys or one-way combined with public transport networks or a walk. The boats have open and covered decks and most include refreshments, a bar and toilet facilities.

There is so much to see on way. The great palaces, river wildlife, historic town centres and all of the new building that is lining the river further downstream. This aside, arriving at Westminster by water from Richmond feels like a real event – something very special that the Tube or train cannot compete with.
Details on passenger boat services can be found at tourist information centres or on our website – www.thames-landscape-strategy.org.uk

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