Council asks for views about improved access to river via Dukes Meadows
As part of the Dukes Meadow's Transport & Access Strategy a proposal was approved to improve the pedestrian access to the river from the Staveley / Alexandra Gardens junction.
This scheme has now been worked up in more detail and comprises the following elements:
- Provision of a footway along Riverside Drive - from the junction, running parallel to the allotment gardens until the point where the playing fields start on the north side of the drive. This replaces the existing mound of dumped earth.
- Removal of the existing fence line to the playing fields along Riverside Drive - from the edge of the allotments to the entry for Civil Service Sports Club.
- Removal of much of the existing hedgerow and trees, particularly those with little ecological value or suffering from Dutch Elm disease. This will allow pedestrians to cross Riverside Drive and continue to the river along the edge of the playing fields, or across to the paddling pool and adventure playground area. Currently pedestrians must walk in the middle of the road or squeeze through informal gaps in the fence to access the field etc. It will also help open up the vista of the Dukes Meadows area to people arriving in the area at this entrance point.
- Provision of parking spaces along the drive, interspersed with planting. We estimate that approximately 20 spaces will be provided along this stretch. It is hoped that the provision of formalised parking spaces will improve the look of the area as well as take some of the parking pressure off local streets which experience considerable parking stress during events such as the car boot sale, farmers market etc. It will also provide a better spaces for those driving to the play area and paddling pools, which currently does not have any dedicated parking.
- Planting and provision of logs on the southern side of the drive (next to Civil Service ground) to prevent parking along this side (particularly in the current degraded patches).
- The Dukes Meadows Transport & Access Strategy suggested a constructed footpath would also be provided along this stretch. Following initial meetings with local stakeholders, this proposal has been put on hold until it is evident that such a route is required (this would most obviously be made clear through the creation of worn track illustrating pedestrian 'desire lines').
Officers from Hounslow Council will be manning a consultation stand at the farmers market in Dukes Meadows on 23 January from 10.30am - 2.30pm if you wish to find out more.
Email your thoughts on this proposal to transportplanning@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 5037.
Consultation closes on 7th February 2011 .
January 13, 2011
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