Residents Being Consulted on Design for Kew Bridge Arch Walkway
Council presenting two options for step free connection on Thames Path
|
The project to open up one of the arches under Kew Bridge is moving to the next stage with Hounslow Council now consulting on possible designs.
The arch on the north side of Kew Bridge will provide step free access between Strand-on-the-Green and Brentford on the Thames Path. It is owned by Transport for London who were initially unwilling to consider opening it up but sustained pressure from locals particularly the Strand-on-the-Green Residents’ Association forced them to reconsider.
At present people have to climb up a series of steps if they want to cross from Strand-on-the Green to the other side of Kew Bridge, or else walk to road level and negotiate a series of intimidating crossings.
The Council is presenting two possible designs for the new walkway. One (option A) requires minimal work on the arch treating it as a ‘blank canvas’ which would allow greater space for community input at later date. To mitigate hidey holes either side of doorways which are perceived as a safety risk, low level walls will be built at an angle from the doors to the wall to infill corner blind spots and the existing doors will be rehung to open inwards. A lighting trough would be introduced on ceiling to conceal existing electrical cables that supply the lighting and CCTV cameras.
Kew Bridge Arch walkway - Option A
Option B would involve a more extensive fit out. Low level walls will be built along the full length of the arch which narrow the arch at the doors and will widen to the midpoint to improve sightlines and prevent blind spots in the corners. The walls would have pitched shelves (to discourage rough sleepers and litter). There would be inset lighting.
Kew Bridge Arch walkway - Option A
The council say the cheaper option A is their preferred choice as it is less invasive to the listed structure and it is more flexible for community use but the budget for either has already been secured.
The intention to start work on the arch was originally announced at the same time as the work on constructing Cycleway 9 in the vicinity. However, no start date has yet been given for commencement of the fitting out of the new arch.
The consultation runs until 30 March.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
March 4, 2020
