Forum Topic

300 ton crane

300 ton crane is due to bring the walkway through Dukes Meadows. Utter chaos at the junction of Riverside Drive and the A3 one and six as an E3 bus has broken down in the middle. It’s worth coming down to have a look!

James Petri ● 1503d29 Comments

The next one is due on Friday and th final one in September. All pretty impressive tonight, yes?

James Petri ● 1503d

Second piece of bridge installed at 11 am ish todayJohn!

John Todd ● 1502d

The brought the footbridge up on a barge,  I assume the crane would be too heavy for that?

Nora Watkins ● 1502d

Nora, I think there's a bit of misinformation on my part. What came through last night was not a crane nor 300 tons! Just a section of the footpath, but a pretty big one that needed the traffic lights taking down.  Is £4 million the final cost, anyone?

James Petri ● 1502d

Some one who has a good insight to the cost has stated quite clearly it is a whopping 8 million.The four million figure I picked up from am article in the Civil Engineer. It turns out this was no doubt just the cost of the actual walkway structure. It misleadingly didn't make it clear that this figure was not the cost of the actual finished project.On this very site Hounslow originally told us it was costing 2.5 million. Go figure that.Based on eight million that works out at a million a minute as it just takes that time to use the traffic free tunnel.A good use of public money? You decide.

Adrian Irving ● 1502d

It's certainly an impressive structure.  It's one of my favourite walks and I'm looking forward to using it.

Nora Watkins ● 1501d

So am I, also looking forward to the Craven Cottage river path opening up

Stephen Gould ● 1501d

When does that happen Stephen? It feels like they’ve been building it forever.

Nora Watkins ● 1501d

A good use of public money? You decide.I’ve decided!  Yes.The council have got to find something to spend the money collected from fines  relating to Hartington Road. Don’t know if the education money is still going to be used, but our schools seem to be doing ok without it so far

Bernard Allen ● 1500d

John Todd and Steve Curran deserve our thanks and gratitude for their perseverance in seeing this project to completion. No telling how long it has taken to go from someone's brain to the riverbed but that process is never easy nor short especially in the public sector.I'm troubled Adrian doesn't see the value in adding a new amenity to the riverside. I hope the other new initiative re-purposing the rail bridge also sees the light of day. These types of projects should be encouraged and applauded. To me, one begets another and then another. We'd all benefit from that.

David Lesniak ● 1500d

I suppose we can always justify spending other people's money; and we can often justify our own point of view. But there's a pot of £8 million: two of the options are to spend it on large amounts of materials and labour to save some people 8 minutes walking through existing carriageway, or we could spend it where needs are greater. I'm amazed anyone could say they are troubled by Adrian's not seeing the value of this amenity because that us not what he is saying. Read again what he said and you might draw a different conclusion. Reading between the lines sometimes leads to misunderstandings.

James Petri ● 1500d

Well well well, at least three happy bunnys, supposedly.So I take it you are also happy that this project is at least three times over budget. Wow! Hounslow must be laughing their heads off that no one has even blinked an eyelid. That you are also happy a long establish spinney has been utterly destroyed to be replanted by by a mono culture of willow.Also happy that we were originally told that the reason for the walkway was people were scared to use the tunnel (baloney) but even after this was shut it still went ahead.When this excuse fell apart we were told it would encourage many more people to participate in "active travel" which is a buzz word for walking. Another load of baloney.Finally Hounslow hit upon the "fact" a great view of the river would be gained. More baloney. Don't get me wrong the idea of a walkway would be fine when the time was right and cash was aplenty. Richmond have constructed one on the far bank. A perfectly serviceable, workman like job that shapely  contrasts with the multi million stainless steel and concrete job Hounslow have blown the budget wide open on.Oh, I nearly forgot, the German Snails and one of the last  stretches of natural shoreline on upper Thames that needs protecting. So what do  Hounslow do? Rather than leave alone lets protect it by building large concrete piers, steam hammering yards of campshedding into the river bed and then filling it with hundreds maybe thousands of tons of backfill. I know I am a person not easily pleased but it's good to know others are.

Adrian Irving ● 1500d

Adrian, do you have any articles showing the increase in budget,  or the impact on local wildlife?  I would love to do some research on the project,  but I was finding it difficult when I tried googling it.  And as you mentioned the bridge on the other side,  it's joining up two existing parts of the Thames path that are already at a suitable height for the tide,  so it's a much simpler structure.  I'm sorry you feel it's a waste of taxpayers money,  but I'm also interested to know where you would prefer that money had been spent?

Nora Watkins ● 1500d

Nora thank you for your question.I don't have the article published on this site as such but I can point you to the date it was published from looking at a posting I made at the time.Topic:Two and a half million for a footbridge Posted by:Adrian Irving Date/Time:19/02/18 17:44:00"Yes, that's the cost of the pedestrian bridge under Barnes Bridge according to to article on the home page about council tax increase." My posting went on to be more expressive which lead to a few exchanges form other posters.If you are really interested the Editor may be able to point you to the full published article.I have photos of the spinney before the bulldozers ploughed in which in  part tell you what natural habitat was lost. (Can't find them immediately)Bernard is right Hounslow Schools are doing "OK"(if your happy with OK that is) and we are told money transferred from the Education Budget to help fill the hole didn't disadvantage any institution. Well that's good to hear but rather surprising that money could not have been used instead to advantage schools in some constructive way. Specifically where the money should have been spent is not the question.The question surely is, to put it proverbially, would you spend money on landscaping your garden when you have a hole in your roof? As my father drummed into me, "get your priorities right Adrian!"

Adrian Irving ● 1500d

The Thames Path National Trail report atDukes Meadows was commissioned to lookat safety and access issues related to theThames Path. It put forward cost proposals forimprovements specifically focussed on trafficmanagement and streetscape.The options developed in the report addressedthree quite different solutions; a tunnel, trafficmanagement and riverside solutions.Each option was costed and illustratedand was accompanied by a shopping list ofimprovements described as components. The Tunnel option included:A proposed tunnel under Barnes Bridgeto the north of Dukes Hollow. This optionalso included: a new footpath surface andincreased width, boardwalks along sectionsof the river, formalisation of car park areaswith new surfaces and improved seating.The traffic management option included:Alterations to pedestrian and vehicle use ofDan Mason’s Drive. In addition to the optionabove and excluding the tunnel the proposalsincluded a vehicle barrier and turning pointand adjustments to kerb lines with footwaywidth enhancements.The Riverside option included:A proposal that focussed on keeping theThames Path as close to the banks of theThames as possible. This proposal included acantilevered bridge under the Barnes Bridge.It also included the principle components ofthe Tunnel option excluding the tunnel itsel Each proposal could be supplementedby a series of optional extra improvements.These focussed on access improvementsand legibility but were not deemed to beintegral to the proposals.The report concluded that the Riverside optionwas the effective and cost efficient solution.The same issues identified during thestudy also apply today if this option wereto be taken forward, which are specificallyrelated to the preservation of natural assetsat Dukes Meadows during the design andimplementation of a cantilevered bridge linkunder Barnes Bridge. DUKES MEADOWSBASE LINE REVIEW &STAKE HOLDER STRATEGYLONDON BOROUGH HOUNSLOW http://www.dukesmeadowspark.com/files/pdf/atb_dukes_meadow_report_small_04092016980.pdf

Bernard Allen ● 1500d

"Each option was costed and illustratedand was accompanied by a shopping list ofimprovements described as components." "Each option was costed."That's a worry. Back to school for someone then.Once two is two, Two x two and a half is eight.Easy mistake to make.😂

Adrian Irving ● 1500d

I absolutely agree that key services are the priority for funding, but as we all found during lockdown, access to green space is also important.  Selfishly, as an older person, I think non essential projects like this should receive funding. That section of the river looked uncared for and although I had a soft spot for the boat house because some of my family rowed there, I suspect it was probably full of asbestos and redevelopment was the only option. I’m happy for my tax to go towards the bridge, even if that’s controversial.

Nora Watkins ● 1500d

but did you read the strategy.http://www.dukesmeadowspark.com/files/pdf/atb_dukes_meadow_report_small_04092016980.pdfCIP who used to look after the parks, Cemetery's and leisure services for Hounslow were even involved with this project.So it must go back 10 years or more at least.It should show up on the archives of Chiswick forum meetingswherever there kept.

Bernard Allen ● 1500d

Nora, I respect your frankness and I agree green spaces are important at any time however I would just point out this walkway does not create any new green space. It may save a few minutes walk but it does nothing more than that.I also agree the old boat house had been left to get into a very poor state and needed replacing. We have only been provided with a sketchy drawing of the replacement with the building in the middle distance. On the face of it a very average design that could have been so much better in this prominent location.You describe the area as uncared for. I see it differently. To my eye nature has been allowed to re-wild itself.Each to their own.

Adrian Irving ● 1499d

I have read what Adrian wrote, James, and on average I tend to agree with Adrian and have followed his thoughts on numerous occasions. If I'm not mistaken he is perturbed by the costs of both the cycle lane and this bridge. The former has zero aesthetic value, the latter has it in spades regardless of your own personal tastes. It adds value not just to the immediacy of walking there, but from a distance as well. And it appears to have solved a problem for pedestrians. Can anyone point to another example (sorry, the underpass at Kew Bridge doesn't really count as that was a no-brainer that doesn't deserve the PR) where monies were spent to upgrade/create a pedestrian amenity? Plenty spent on trial-and-error cycle amenity yet pedestrian amenity always (and I mean always) suffers as a result. My impression has been Adrian is against this walkway bridge altogether yet here he seems to be upset about the cost overrun. Which is it? Or both? Because, again, it is drop in the bucket when compared to all the cycling investments made.

David Lesniak ● 1499d

"Don't get me wrong the idea of a walkway would be fine when the time was right and cash was aplenty. Richmond have constructed one on the far bank.etc"David, above is an extract for my earlier post."Cost overrun" is a very polite way of putting it.

Adrian Irving ● 1499d

Adrian, the road sweeping around the boat house doesn't have a pavement,  and it means having to to walk in the road. When there are matches going on at the sports grounds it can be quite hair raising.  On the other hand,  the ongoing discussions about a garden bridge on the disused part of Barnes Bridge do seem like a waste of money to me.  I hope we'll get more information on the re-development of the boat house soon.

Nora Watkins ● 1499d

Not really that hair raising since they closed the road under the bridge a couple of years ago. Really not much traffic once you near the bridge, as aside from the fitness club, there really isn't anywhere to go for cars. Obviously, cyclists will still be mowing everyone down of course :-) .  I'm sure bridge will look nice, but cost / benefit analysis seems very poor. 

Rob Reynolds ● 1499d

"Obviously, cyclists will still be mowing everyone down of course :-) ." And quite rightly so. Any pesky pedestrian having the temerity to use the tunnel route deserves to be mowed down bearing in mind the multi millions Hounslow have lavished to save their poor little legs!😂

Adrian Irving ● 1499d

Actually Rob,  it can be quite busy on that section when the sports grounds are in use.

Nora Watkins ● 1499d

Yes, but just because a walkway has been built for the pedestrians, it doesn't mean they have to use it. The new bridge is really for pedestrians who don't have the confidence to use the tunnel. 😂

Rob Reynolds ● 1498d

I'll grant you it can be a bit busy on Saturday and Sunday's for 2 or 3 hours, but significantly less so since the tunnel was closed and double yellows painted around CRFC. 

Rob Reynolds ● 1498d

OK, now I understand, 8 to ? million is being splashed out for the nervous Nellys that a scared of the tunnel.Really?Sorry pal, that's an even more lame excuse than Hounslow's.

Adrian Irving ● 1496d

Sorry pal, but it was meant as a light-hearted reference to the reasons/rationale sometimes used as to why some cyclists choose not to use the cycle lane and some do!

Rob Reynolds ● 1495d