Master Plan Revealed For Dukes Meadows

Improved pedestrian, cycling and sports facilities, a cafe and bandstand area proposed

Artist's impression of the Band Stand area of Dukes Meadows

A new bandstand area, improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, a significant upgrading of sporting facilities and a Riverside cafe with great views of the Thames are all part of Hounslow Council's Master Plan for Dukes Meadows recreational area.

The Council has launched a website where plans for the area can be seen online - there is also an online questionnaire.

Members of the public can attend a consultation with the plans outlined on exhibition boards at Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace W4 4JN on 31 October , between 10am and 8.30pm where members of the design team will be on hand to answer questions.

The Council says it is responding to public feedback which highlighted a number of issues for pedestrians and cyclists, such as constrained bends along Dan Mason Drive and restricted passing places, pedestrian safety, informal parking concerns, safety concerns of the tunnel and overgrown vegetation and general disrepair of Dan Mason Dive and The Promenade.

The changes proposed include improvements both to the public realm and the sporting environment such as improving the Chiswick Bridge and Riverside Drive entrances and the entirety of the Thames Path through the site. There is also a long term aim, separate from this work, to install a footbridge to sit underneath Barnes Bridge, which would connect the two riverside sections of the towpath and take pedestrians off the road completely.

Improvements to Dan Mason Drive, the Bandstand and promenade area, and the general pedestrian experience in Dukes Meadows are an important component of the public realm component of the plan. The Council have taken advice from the London Wildlife Trust on planting and eco-friendly management, as well as an ecologist, a bandstand expert and a cultural events specialists.

The sporting facility improvements at Dukes Meadows include; New Rugby Artificial Grass;
Pitch and extension to the rugby pavilion for both rugby and hockey;Refurbished Hockey Pitch
Redeveloped Chiswick Boathouse;New Football Pavilion and two 3G Artificial Grass Pitches for football; Grass pitch improvements and upgrading for football and rugby

The first stage of the consultation will close on Monday, 27 November. You will also be able to comment further on the proposals as part of the formal planning process.

The Council said that during the last public consultation period many people highlighted the pedestrian experience as one of the principal downfalls of Dukes Meadows, with issues such as safety, signage, separation from vehicular traffic and connection to the river regularly coming up in the feedback.

"As a result the design team has focused on creating a unified pedestrian connection from the Chiswick Bridge entrance right through to Edensor Gardens entrance, separate from vehicles and cyclists where possible, with the aim of increasing all the amenities!".

The previous public consultation also highlighted a need to improve the experience for cyclists using the site, which has resulted in increased signage, cycle stands, areas of shared surface and localised road widening being incorporated into the public realm scheme.

Dukes Meadows is home to a number of sports clubs in the borough – Old Meadonians Football Club, Hounslow and Barnes Hockey Club, Chiswick Rugby Club, Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club and is used by clubs and organisations across London and the South East. The site is identified as a sport hub for the area in the Borough Plan.

The masterplan has been developed in partnership with the Rugby Football Union, The Football Association and the Football Foundation, British Rowing, London Youth Rowing, England Hockey, Sport England. FA Parklife would see an investment of £3.5million to transform the development of football on the site. A new Chiswick Boathouse for Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club would
become the West London base for London Youth Rowing .

The Chiswick Boathouse will also become a focal point for physical activity for the site linking the Thames Path for runners, cyclists, walkers and general recreation and use of Dukes Meadows linking to the open space across the bridge to the promenade and beyond into Dukes Meadows

"All of our four leading clubs will see significant investment and improvement to their sports facilities with their long term occupancy and use secured to continue to deliver community sport and physical activity. Hounslow and the National Governing Bodies of Sport are continuing the on-going plans for the operational management with the leading clubs."

"We have a number of upcoming consultation events with local clubs and stakeholders to continue to assist with the shaping of final plans and the future development of this important site for health, wellbeing, open space and sport in Hounslow. The proposals presented today will form two planning applications to be submitted to the council in due course."

It is anticipated that planning applications can be lodged at the end of December and funding finalised by the Spring of 2018 .The funding required is estimated to be over £10 million but there is likely to be a a shortfall. You can read earlier stories on the issue here.

Dukes Meadows is a popular local recreational area which has has two play areas, a riverside walk, Sunday Market and open areas for informal games of football or other games. You can read more about the area on their website.

October 16, 2017