Crossrail uncertainty but new courts could be ready this year

The company looking to develop the tennis courts at Chiswick Back Common have asked for changes to be made to their agreement with Hounslow Council due to Crossrail's plans in the area. The proposed site for the tennis centre may be required for the construction of an underground railway station for the Crossrail project.

TFC, the proposed management company have reiterated their commitment to provide community tennis on the site, but they have sought to amend their proposals whilst there is still doubt regarding the Crossrail project.

They now wish to reduce the number of courts to be refurbished initially to five, with the refurbishment of the other two existing, and the construction of three new courts to follow after Crossrail either occurs or is cancelled. The public will continue to have “pay and play” access to at least one court at all times. They also want to defer the development of a permanent clubhouse until a decision has been made.

However they still plan to push forward with plans for the refurbishment of five of the existing courts (including installation of floodlighting) to ensure they become available during the latter part of the Summer/Autumn of this year.

An announcement by The Secretary of State for Transport regarding the future of the Crossrail project is likely to be made very soon. If Crossrail Corridor 6 (though Chiswick) were to go ahead, disruption to Chiswick Back Common would be extremely significant and the area would be unusable for several years.

June 16, 2004