Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Arcadian Diary June 2005

The River Thames means different things to different people. For some it’s the solitude of a riverside walk, for others it is the hustle and bustle of a Friday evening outside a pub in Richmond. It could be bird watching, rowing, cycling or just sitting watching the boats go past. One thing is certain however. The river is loved by just about everyone and this is the same all over the world.

I have recently returned from a trip to another of the world’s great rivers, The Nile, having spent a week journeying up the river from Cairo to Aswan by boat, cycle, train and bus.

The Nile still controls the lives of Egyptians in a way that London’s river once did in the past. One only has to look down from the plane to see the fertile green ribbon of the floodplain surrounded on both sides by empty desert to understand just how central it is to their everyday lives. This is wonderfully played out every Saturday evening along Luxor’s splendid promenade (or ‘corniche’) when it seems that the entire town descends on the riverside just to enjoy themselves. No one is drunk, instead entire families are out sitting, eating, talking and meeting friends. The river itself was being used – not by tourists like me but by the locals, hiring sailing boats and launches to watch the sun go down across the desert. It made me wander just how many people who live close to the Thames have never been out on our stretch of the river. It is so easy. Hire a rowing boat from Richmond Bridge, Molesey Lock or Marble Hill or for an easier time get aboard one of the many trip boats that stop at Kew, Richmond, Kingston and Hampton. It really is the best way to enjoy the river.

Visitors to the Arcadian Thames who have been enjoying the hot, dry weather recently should have noticed all the works that are taking place as part of the London’s Arcadia project. It is a very busy time for our stretch of river and we hope that the works haven’t caused too much disruption. Due to their nature we need to do a lot of the work in the summer when it’s free from frost (not a problem that the Egyptians have!) and flooding.

Work has finished now resurfacing the towpath along Pertersham Meadows. The long-term plan is to restore the surface all the way to Ham car park but before we do this it was important to test several different options first. As such, the new surface along the meadows is in fact four different types (although it is almost impossible to tell) so that we can see which type stands up to the rigours of regular tidal inundation and constant use the best before proceeding with the rest of the towpath.

Whilst weighing up the options all sorts of different factors have to be taken into account. One of these is accessibility. The final solution has to accommodate walkers, cyclists, buggies and wheelchairs. The most durable surface would have been tarmac but it was felt that this would have spoilt the rural character of the riverside (a view echoed by many wheelchair users). It’s a difficult balancing act but one we know we have to get right.

Work is also well underway restoring the gravel Terrace path on top of Richmond Hill that is being replaced by an identical type to what was already there To minimise disruption this is being carried out in two sections so that there is always a part of the hill open to enjoy. At the same time the famous Richmond Hill railings are being restored. In preparing for this work, the engineers report regarding the restoration of the railings through up an interesting problem for us in connection with the retaining wall that the railings sit on. To repair the wall and railings ‘as new’ would have necessitated in a massive undertaking – closing the highway, digging out a huge section of roadway and constructing a retaining concrete wall behind the visible stones just to halt the slippage of the wall down the hill. This would have cost a staggering £2.0m and was completely out of the question. It was also pointed out that even this drastic solution would not have solved the slippage problem merely slow it down. With time the hill would start to slide again and the extra money would have been wasted.

In response, we have decided to carry out a solution that accepts slippage as inevitable. This also means that the railings will always be a little wonky. This said, they would look vastly better than their current dilapidated state with all broken and lost sections restored.

Whilst repairing the wall we had to remove some ivy and we were all shocked at what was found behind the undergrowth. In some places holes 6 feet across by 2 feet deep had developed. These have had to be filled and the stone wall replaced and where possible meticulously restored and repointed. Along side the wall, the contractors are busy laying a magnificent band of York stone on which the seats will be repositioned. All that is left to do on the field below is to put a cap of sealed gravel onto the footpaths and as soon as the grass seed starts growing the field will be re-opened to the public.

The second stage of works along Cholmondeley Walk has also started this week. New benches are being installed along the river, historic railings repaired and lost granite setts replaced. Further along the riverbank the benches on Richmond Riverfront have been fully restored and look absolutely splendid.

Although work is now well underway, to do all the works planned we still have to raise a lot more money to match the contribution made by the Heritage Lottery Fund. There are so many ways that everyone can get involved and without your help works will simply not happen. Sponsorship ranges from £25 to £25,000 and includes everything from bird boxes, benches, railings, sections of towpath, owl holes, bat boxes and grand gates. One of the best things that can be sponsored are one of the hundreds of trees that are to be planted. Costs include the tree itself, aftercare and watering. All the names of sponsors will be recorded in a special commemorative book and in addition donors will receive a certificate of thanks from the Thames Landscape Strategy Patron, Sir David Attenborough. Details can be obtained from Tasha Hunter on 020 8891 7399 or drop in and see us the Teddington River Festival on Sunday 17th July. It promises to be even better than last year.

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