Strand-on-the-Green River Wall Project Moves Forward

Restoration scheme will protect structure for generations

Emergency repairs have already been made to some sections of the river wall. Picture: Peter Thompson

June 30, 2026

After three decades of concern over the deteriorating condition of the historic river wall at Strand-on-the-Green, a major collaborative effort has now secured its future. A long-awaited restoration scheme — backed by detailed engineering investigations, environmental expertise and sustained community pressure — is now fully funded and moving forward, safeguarding the riverside location for generations to come.

The breakthrough follows years of campaigning by the Strand-on-the-Green Association (SOGA) and Chiswick Riverside councillor Gabriella Giles. Their efforts prompted Hounslow Council to commission a principal inspection in 2023, carried out by Hounslow Highways, which confirmed structural defects along the 900-metre stretch of wall running from Strand End to Kew Bridge.

In 2024, the Strand-on-the-Green Wall Project Board was established, bringing together council officers, Hounslow Highways, then-Cabinet Member for the Environment Councillor Katherine Dunne, SOGA chair Ann Collins, and Councillor Giles, who also serves as Chair of the Thames Landscape Strategy. The board coordinated lobbying, technical assessments and funding bids to secure the future of the wall.

Their efforts resulted in £419,000 from Hounslow Council’s Capital Strategy Board for investigations, engineering assessments and emergency works — including £68,000 spent stabilising a three-metre section during the winter of 2024. Building on that foundation, the board secured a further £355,274 to deliver a full restoration scheme designed to bring the wall up to “Gold Standard” condition, incorporating enhanced flood-resilience measures recommended in the Joint Thames Strategies Refresh.

In total, £745,275 has now been committed to ensure the wall is structurally sound, environmentally resilient and protected for the long term.

Councillor Giles said the project shows what can be achieved when residents, councillors and partner organisations work together:

“The river wall at Strand-on-the-Green is not only a vital piece of infrastructure but also an important part of our local heritage and riverside environment. Securing the initial funding for investigations was a critical first step, and now we have a fully-costed plan which will future-proof our riverside assets, aligning with the TE2100 plan and setting the gold-standard for how LBH should work on the river.”

She paid tribute to Councillor Katherine Dunne, Ann Collins, Hounslow Highways and council officers for their sustained collaboration. “This has been a genuine team effort and a strong example of what can be achieved when organisations work together in the interests of residents and our environment.”

The wall, while not part of the formal flood defence, is essential to the character and infrastructure of Strand-on-the-Green. Earlier investigations identified defects, including visible delamination beneath Kew Railway Bridge. Engineers have confirmed this damage is superficial and will be pinned back as part of the restoration scheme. The wall protects the Thames Path, preserves the historic riverside setting, and helps safeguard the local environment from erosion and tidal impacts.

Councillor Giles has served on the Board of the Thames Landscape Strategy for nine years and was recently re-elected as Chair for a third consecutive term. She also continues to serve on the Boards of Thames Strategy: Kew to Chelsea and the Joint Thames Strategy.