Two days ago The Sunday Times revealed plans for a new Thames bridge in central London. Today The Times has a report about work on a possible bridge linking Kew Gardens and Syon House.
This must be resisted. The joy of walking along the towpath at Kew is that the left (‘north’) bank is little changed.
The riverbank at Syon is very special. The natural creeks of the tide meadow were known to Lady Jane Grey who embarked here and Cromwell’s prisoner Charles I who was allowed to land here by barge from Hampton Court to visit his children.
It is not a bridge that is needed but a return to the earlier levels of river traffic.
There is already an historic link between the Kew towpath and Syon. This is at Isleworth where there have been several attempts to revive the daily ferry service. This would be a much more exciting experience for visitors than a modern bridge.
The river is in danger of having too much clutter.
Pages 55 to 57.