Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Key Achievements

Since the launch of the Strategy in 1994, over 100 individual projects and management practices have been completed fully, or in part, or are in operation. These have been carried out by or with the Thames Landscape Strategy partners, private landowners, local businesses, community and voluntary groups and enthusiastic individuals. A selection of the key achievements are shown.

• 2007 Establishment of the Hampton Court Approaches Steering Group, bringing partners from Surrey, Elmbridge, Richmond, the Royal Parks, Historic Royal Palaces and English Heritage together in a project aimed at improving the approach routes to and wider setting of Hampton Court Palace.
• 2007 Thames Landscape Strategy invited to represent the three London river strategies on the Water Framework Directive Liaison Panel for the Thames Region.
• 2007 Thames Landscape Strategy signs memorandum of agreement with London Biodiversity Partnership.
• 2006 Completion of Year 1 works on London’s Arcadia, including improvements to the Terrace on Richmond Hill, Bridge House Gardens and Richmond Riverside.
• 2006 Memorandum of Agreement signed by partners, committing them to 3 years of helping fund and steer the Thames Landscape Strategy.
• 2006 Surrey County Council and the Crown Estate become partners of the Thames Landscape Strategy.
• 2005 Launch of the Putting the Thames back into Kingston scheme, working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to strengthen links between the town centre and the riverside.
• 2005 Launch of Kraft Picnic Walk leaflet, one of a series of waterway walks being developed along the Arcadian Thames.
• 2005 Consultation of Hurst Park and Molesey Riverside residents on the potential development of a conservation management plan for that stretch of the Thames.
• 2005 Launch of Environment Agency-led Floodscape project, of which the Thames Landscape Strategy is a partner. Floodscape aims to develop new approaches to long-term flood risk management.
• 2004 The Thames Landscape Strategy Ten Year Review.
• 2004 Launch of the Hampton Court Palace Views Management Plan.
• 2004 Reopening of the lost Orleans House Octagon vista linking Gibbs’ masterpiece with the River.
• 2004 Establishment of the ‘Brentford Riverside’ project to initiate a renaissance of Brentford’s waterside.
• 2004 Launch of the Hurst Park and Molesey Riverside Action Plan.
• 2003 Launch of the ‘Teddington Gateway’ project in partnership with the Environment Agency to regenerate Teddington Lock and to reverse the decline in river use through the Waterspace Strategy.
• 2002-2004 Establishment of groundbreaking new day-to-day riverside management regimes leading to an 80% reduction in waterborne litter being deposited along the towpath.
• 2003 Successful confirmation of the £3.3million ‘Thames Landscape Strategy London’s Arcadia’ Heritage Lottery Fund Bid to a Stage I stage.
• 2002 Reopening of the lost Marble Hill House vista.
• 2002 Launch of the successful £2.5million ‘Londons’ Arcadia’ Heritage Lottery Fund scheme for landscape, biodiversity, access and recreation improvements between Teddington and the Old Deer Park.
• 2001 Launch of ‘Arcadia in the City’ to celebrate the Centenary of the Act of Parliament that protects the view from Richmond Hill.
• 2001 Publication of the groundbreaking ‘Accessible Thames Walking Guide’ to encourage people of all physical abilities to use the riverside walks.
• 2000 Launch of the first school education pack: ‘Schools on the River’ in partnership with the River Thames Boat Project.
• 1999 Landscaping and sensitive bankside treatment to create areas of interest for wildlife at Albany Reach, Thames Ditton.
• 1999 Landscape improvements to the riverside walk between Kingston Bridge and the Hogsmill River.
• 1999 Publication of the Thames Landscape Strategy ‘Cycling the Thames’ Guide.
• 1998 Improvements to Isleworth Promenade and footpath and access improvements to Brentford Riverside and tree planting at Waterman’s Park.
• 1998 Restoration of the setting of the 18th Century Garrick’s Temple dedicated to Shakespeare at Hampton.
• 1998 Publication of the Thames Landscape Strategy Island Management Plans.
• 1998 Landscaping to Grand Union Canal in partnership with British Waterways and Brentford Regeneration Partnership.
• 1997 Publication of a ‘Riverside Wildlife Gardening’ leaflet to promote simple measures that can encourage wildlife along the riverbank.
• On-going Riverside clean-up groups including litter picking, Himalayan Balsam bashing and landscaping along the river.
• 1997 Re-opening of lost ‘Capability Brown’ vistas at Syon Park and re-instatement of historic elements of Old Deer Park including the Kew Meridian.
• 1997 Landscape improvements and new signage at Riverbank, East Molesey.
• 1995 Improvements and landscaping to King Henry VIII’s Mound, Richmond Park including installation of an arbour, interpretation panel and replacement of avenue trees to frame the view.