The Thames Barrier was closed today which must have been a good idea. The water was still very high at Waterloo Bridge this afternoon.
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings all along the River Thames. You should check its website or call the flood information number 0845 988 1188 before going on the Thames Path.
Today’s public inquiry in Purley-on-Thames may result in the present ridiculous route around the village being dropped in favour of the original recommendation.
Because of a dispute with the owner of an orchard next to Purley Church in the 1780s the towpath was put on the opposite bank for 3/4 mile. This involved maintaining two ferries. The failure of the commissioners to carry through a threat of compulsory purchase 230 years ago has led to today’s inquiry.
The Thames Path cannot be placed by the water on the ‘south’ bank due to the railway. Whilst one must obviously cross the line and briefly join the main road there is no need for the present very long road detour.
I can recall working on the ‘Thames Walk’ proposals in the early 1980s when a shorter route using an existing tunnel under the railway to return to the river was suggested. Indeed Berkshire County Council made early provision for part of this stretch of path by including it in a planning agreement.
Unfortunately the developer of the properties in what is now called Hazel Road never implemented the conditions of the planning consent. Now three Hazel Road residents are against creating the path which should already have been on the ground.
A stretch in Purley Park, although not accessible, has been agreed with the landowner.
Nigel Hiscock for Natural England said: “This is the proposed route agreed 20 years ago by the Secretary of State and therefore we are actively looking to complete the route to the agreed plans.
“The current temporary route covers a lot of residential roads and does not take in enough of the scenery and points of interest of the Thames.
“However the new route through Skerritt Woods and up behind the homes in Hazel Road does meet more of our standards and would be more suitable for a national path.”
There have been 72 objections from villagers including one from Thames Valley Police claming routing the Thames Path behind Hazel Road “would increase the risk of criminal activity in the area”.
West Berkshire councillor and rambler Tony Vickers said: “I think it’s clear that the path will benefit both walkers and residents, given the choice between a shortcut or the long way round, I think almost everyone would pick a short cut. I think you have to weigh up the security issues up against whether it is convenient and needed, and I think the advantages far outweigh the objections.”
Jayne Kylie of West Berkshire Ramblers, said: “I’m fully behind the council, it will open up a whole new walk for the public and in my opinion the land behind the houses in Hazel Road has always been accessible if someone really wanted to get in behind there.”
See page 130.
Good to hear that the intervention of the Open Spaces Society has persuaded South Oxfordshire District Council to withdraw an order to divert the Thames Path at Wallingford.
The row involves a swing bridge being installed on the line of the path at the marina to the south of the town which has been taken over by Oxford University Boat Club.
OSS Oxfordshire representative Chris Hall says: “We have had assurances from club officials that the opening of the bridge would be very infrequent. But this is not good enough. The society is concerned about the long-term future of the path. What happens if the club’s premises change hands and a commercial marina takes over with more frequent use of the bridge?
“The society has suggested to the club that the order to divert the path onto the swing bridge should contain binding conditions that will remain in force under any future ownership of the land. These conditions would limit the times and lengths of opening the bridge (ie obstruction of the path) and guarantee an alternative route for walkers through the club’s premises. Unfortunately the club has not followed up this proposal.”
There has long been a launch dock here. Let’s hope talks between the parties and the council result in the path remaining by the water. These battles are important.
See page 144
Sunday was a wonderful sunny day in London which made the annual blessing the river such a enjoyable occasion.
By tradition the clergy and congregations of Southwark Cathedral and the City’s St Magnus the Martyr met in the middle of London Bridge with the Bishop of Woolwich presiding.
It is always a surprise, although it should not be, to hear the prayers for those who have died in the river during the past year. We prayed also for those who work on the river including the lifeboat crews.
This year was special as it was the first event on London Bridge during its 800th anniversary year. A London Bridge Fair and Sheep Drive is planned for Saturday 28 March.
See pages 30-31.
There is good news from the Environment Agency which has announced that it will not be selling Thames’ lock cottages.
The quango claims to have “listened carefully” to objections and to recognise that “flood risk” requires lock keepers to be resident along the river.
It now has made a commitment to ensure that there is a resident lock keeper at each of the 45 locks along the Thames.
There are however still plans to sell five relief cottages which are not on the river but the EA has guaranteed that no lock and weir staff will be made homeless or redundant.
An all-party campaign opposed the plan to sell the cottages and make lock keepers commute. Reading Labour MP Martin Salter says: “This is fantastic news for everybody who cares about the future of the River Thames.” Conservative MP for Esher & Walton said is was a “victory for common sense”.
Kew Gardens is 250 years old next year and it may be worth celebrating on the very first day of 2009.
Princess Augusta started the botanic garden in 1759.
Most walkers on the Thames Path do not now break off to visit the gardens, however tempting, as the admission price is a staggering £13. Many of us remember when it was a nominal one penny.
However, on New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January, admission will be free. And the ice rink will still be open. Gates open at 9.30am.
See page 56.
News of the very severe fire at Garrick’s Villa in Hampton is a shock.
Famous actor Richard Garrick bought the house in 1754 and twenty years later employed Robert Adam to make major alterations.
The fire could be seen from the towpath on the opposite bank at midday today.
The grounds are divided by the road so the riverside Garrick’s Shakespeare Temple, which the actor built in 1755 as a tribute to William Shakepeare, is safe.
It’s good to hear that nobody has been hurt. Let’s hope that enough of the building is left to allow for a restoration.
See page 68.
The Good Pub Guide 2009 published this week highlights as always some Thames pubs.
The Baskerville Arms at Shiplake is in the Oxford chapter along with, much further upstream, The Trout at Godstow. This has become expensive and rather too upmarket inrecent years although it is very good to see that bar food is available all day.
In Gloucestershire it is depressing to read that anyone dining outside at Ewen’s Wild Duck must leave their credit card behind the bar.
The best pub is at the end of the Thames Path. This is the Tunnel House at Coates near the source which is described as an “eccentric bow-fronted stone house”. It sounds unchanged and as good as ever and deserves its mention.
The Good Pub Guide 2009, edited by Alisdair Aird and Fiona Stapley, is published by Ebury (£15.99).
A London to sea Thames Estuary Path is now government policy.
The Thames Gateway Parklands Vision was launched this week by architect Sir Terry Farrell, the Government’s Parklands design champion, at the Thames Gateway Green Forum.
Speaking alongside Sir Terry at the Royal Horticulural Hall, Housing Minister Iain Wright said that urban parks, marshlands, waterways and green spaces will be as integral as housing, jobs and commerce in the Thames Gateway of the future.
A Thames Estuary Path, a continuous link on both banks of the estuary from the Isle of Dogs to the coastal path network, exists in places as the Parklands Vision document published last Thursday acknowledges.
It seems realistic when it suggests that “there are some unavoidable obstructions in some locations along the water’s edge. It is essential that diversions away from the river are of the highest possible quality”.
One interesting passage reads: “Hinterland connections could function as alternative routes in the event of unusually high tides.”
The Thames Path National Trail has already been unofficially extended east on the south side as far as Erith. The very last stretch to Margate in Kent exists as the Saxon Shore Way.
In 1980, when I was asked by Thames Water to start work on a Thames Path feasibility study, the London end was to be Westminster Bridge. This was soon extended to the Barrier.
In my report, eventually published by the Countryside Commission in 1984, I suggested that “the Walk could be extended downstream to Essex and Kent”. Nearly thirty years later it’s good to see the full route now being seriously discussed.
The main aim should be to achieve the easier southern route.
Demolition has begun on Chambers Wharf ready for a new development which will restore the riverside path along Bermondsey Wall.
Chambers Wharf lies between Rotherhithe and St Saviour’s Dock near Tower Bridge. At present walkers have to divert along Chambers Street at the back .
On Wednesday Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for Southwark North and Bermondsey, joined representatives from property development company St Martin’s on the four acre site to mark the official start of the first phase of work.
The present cold store has recently been used for document storage. The major residential scheme will provide 200 affordable homes.
See page 26.