Council Responds To Residents Over Strand Footpath

Says works are earmarked for the footpath and retaining wall

Hounslow Council has promised that works will be carried out soon on the footpath and retaining wall along a stretch of a riverside walk at Strand on the Green, following complaints from local residents.

The Council said it was waiting for a low tide so that officers could inspect the retaining wall, and said the footpath was scheduled for repair by Hounslow Highways.

Last week local people showed MP Mary Macleod the area which is a stretch of about 800 metres and complained that the surface of the pavements was dangerous and uneven and the retaining wall support structure was tipping into the Thames and in urgent need of strengthening.

A council spokesperson said:  “Along with the Port of London Authority, the council takes its responsibilities for Strand on the Green seriously. The retaining wall is managed directly by the council , and officers are waiting for a particularly low tide to complete our regular checks.   Present indications are that the wall is entirely sound.

“Regarding the footpath which runs above the wall, this will be maintained and is scheduled for resurfacing works under the Hounslow Highways contract.”

Coping stones have come loose

The residents had complained that while LBH had accepted responsibility for the footpath as it was considered part of the public highway, they were concerned that the Council was not maintaining and repairing the retaining wall.

Reacting to the Council's statement, a spokesman for the resident said they would like to know what the timetable was for the works and what surface the council intended using, as they would not like to see tarmac used.

July 1, 2013