Hampton Journal

July 2003

TWICKENHAM RIVERSIDE: NEW MOVES
The latest report on Twickenham Riverside came before Richmond's Cabinet, and council leader, Cllr Tony Arbour, promises that work will soon start on the site.

DAY CENTRES: FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Members of Richmond's Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee are 'shocked and angered' at cancellation of a special meeting to discuss cuts to the borough's day centres, and postponement of a report.

THE THREE BRIDGES
Three of the bridges that span the Thames in the borough were opened on the same day - 70 years ago on July 3 1933.

THAT'S THE YOUTH BUS
The Youth Café - a double-decker bus converted into a multi-purpose social, training and advice facility for young people in the borough of Richmond - has hit the streets.

SHOPPERS' PARKING IN TEDDINGTON
Changing the Unitary Development Plan is a complex process: the proposals are challenged, the council responds, and then both sides air their views at the inquiry itself, as with the future of North Lane car park in Teddington.

THREE PIGEONS APPROVED
Richmond's Planning Committee agreed with the officers' recommendation to permit development at the Three Pigeons pub and Richmond Canoe Club, including demolition of Edwardian buildings on the riverside.

MORE POLICE WANTED
Tony Arbour, London Assembly Member for Richmond upon Thames and leader of Richmond Council, is leading a campaign for more police across the borough, challenging the funding of the service.

RESIDENTS PAY UP PROMPTLY
Richmond Council comes top in the collection of the council tax league tables, with almost 98% of bills paid up last year.

OPPOSITION LANDS AT BA AGM
There will be some unusual masked visitors to the British Airways AGM on Tuesday 15 July.

MORE SUPPORTERS FOR THAMES
Two more organisations have signed up as equal funding partners on the tenth anniversary of the Thames Landscape Strategy, Hampton to Kew.

VISIT TO OSTERLEY
The Hampton Society goes on a private visit to the National Trust property at Osterley Park with a conducted tour of the house on Friday 11th July at 10.00 am.|

CUT THE RED TAPE
Schools minister, David Miliband, has given an undertaking to Vincent Cable MP for a drastic cut in the bureaucratic tangle that schools face when trying to get 'specialist school' status.

NO LORRIES IN BUS LANES
The Teddington Society has raised grave concerns about dual use of bus lanes by heavy goods vehicles, proposed in a Bus Lane Review put forward by Richmond Council.

THE THREE BRIDGES
Three of the bridges that span the Thames in the borough were opened on the same day - 70 years ago on July 3 1933.

BUSHY PARK ENVIRONMENT FAIR
5th and 6th July

COMICAL ALI
RESURFACES
The Iraqi information minister has appeared on Abu Dhabi TV. He made no mention of his brief retirement in Richmond but this is expected to feature in his forthcoming book about the war.

SCHOOLS' FUNDING
Cllr Geoffrey Samuel, Richmond Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for schools, sets out the facts concerning funding this year of the borough's schools.

1903 TO 2003 AT FULWELL
From trams to the latest VR buses - Fulwell Garage celebrates its centenary on Saturday 2 August with an open day, some special bus trips and a commemorative book.

SILENCE IS CONSENT
The least popular option from the Crane Valley Masterplan consultation was commended to Richmond's Cabinet on grounds that the low level of public responses indicated a general acceptance.

CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
Richmond Council is working with the Westminster Catholic Diocese to bring Catholic secondary education to the borough.

NEEDLEWORK STAYS IN HAMPTON
The long-established tradition of embroidery and needlework classes will stay in Hampton.

QUESTIONS AT THE RFU
Doubts about the Rugby Football Union's financial fitness to redevelop the South Stand have been immediately refuted in a statement from the Twickenham Stadium.

NIGHT FLIGHTS
- THE FIGHT CONTINUES
A disappointing judgment from the European Court of Human Rights on night flight nuisance nevertheless opens the door to local residents to use British courts in pursuit of peaceful sleep.

WILDLIFE FOR ALL
You don't have to go all the way to Africa to encounter wildlife on an exciting night safari - it's right here on the doorstep in Bushy Park.

POWER CUT LEADS TO WATER SHORTAGE
Thousands of residents across the borough suffered dramatic falls in water pressure for several hours on the evening of 16 July 2003, due to a major power cut which affected Hampton Water Works.

KEW IS WORLD HERITAGE SITE
UNESCO announced on July 4 2003 that Kew Gardens has been given World Heritage status.

TRAINING BUT NOT MATCHES
Hampton Rangers Juniors Football Club is back on Thames Water's Hydes Field for training - but there are still no facilities in prospect for the match pitch at Hatherop Park.

INQUIRY TIME TABLE
The public inquiry into modifications proposed to the borough's unitary development plan by Richmond Council gets underway, and we have the council's documentation here.

OPTION FIVE FOR CRANE
Rob Gray of Friends of the River Crane Environment introduced Option Five for the Crane Valley at Richmond's Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The audit of the Crane Valley corridor, prepared for Richmond Council by consultants Aitken Leclercq, is here.

CRANE
CONTROVERSY
CONTINUES
Richmond Council's Chief Executive, Gillian Norton, responds to the statement by the RACC governors over the Crane consultation plans.

And members of Richmond Council's Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee discuss the masterplan options on Thursday 26 June at 6.30pm in York House, and the borough's new open spaces strategy.

EXHIBITION EXTENDED
The consultation on the Crane Valley Masterplan will continue into Saturday 5 July for those who haven't seen it, in the Atrium of the Civic Centre from 10am until 4pm.

MASTERPLAN OPEN MEETING
A sceptical audience of over 100 attended the Crane Valley masterplan public meeting at York House on Wednesday 18 June.

CONFUSION OVER CONSULTATION
Richmond Council states it informed Richmond Adult Community College about the Crane Valley masterplan, showing the college relocated, contradicting a statement from the college principal.

LEAFLET FOR CRANE VALLEY
A double-sided leaflet on the Crane Valley Masterplan, which the council launched for consultation on Friday 13 June, is now online here.

MOGDEN SMELL CONTINUES
There are no plans to cover the Mogden Sewage Treatment Works for a permanent solution to odour problems, and mitigation measures have fallen behind, Thames Water told local residents of St Margaret's and Isleworth.

WORRYING DETECTION RATES
Although the rise in some crime figures is not necessarily a bad thing, with people encouraged to report it, MP Vincent Cable picks up on disturbing rises in undetected crime.

QUIETER ROAD SURFACES
As part of Richmond Council's road improvement programme, a number of roads will be resurfaced this summer with a surface designed to reduce noise levels.

PEOPLE CHOOSE THE PARKING
Any new proposals for controlled parking zones will be community-led, Richmond Council has indicated.

DON'T LEAVE IT IN THE CAR
Operation Footbrake is a new public awareness campaign advising motorists to leave nothing in their cars to tempt a thief.

BRUNEL PLANS APPROVED
Richmond's Planning Committee approved a major development of 173 residential units for the Brunel University campus on the riverside at St Margaret's on Wednesday 10 July.

BETTER BLOOMS
Many keen gardeners around the borough will be putting in extra effort with weeding and watering in anticipation of a visit from the Borough in Bloom judges.

GOOD MARKS, WELL DONE
Doing well with every chance of improvement, states a report published by the Audit Commission and Social Services Inspectorate about Richmond's social services.

STORM SEWAGE STUDY
The impact of storm water sewage discharged into the Thames is under investigation by Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

TOO MUCH ON BRUNEL SITE
St Margaret's residents are concerned about the numbers of homes proposed for the Brunel University site, and plans to gate off Gordon House, a significant listed building.

BRUNEL
REPORTS
PUBLISHED
The planning officers' reports on redevelopment proposals for the Brunel University site, coming up at Richmond's July 10 Planning Committee, are now available here.

HEALTH FEARS
Figures from Kingston Hospital show an unprecedented rise in the numbers of people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases.

KEW BRIDGE BUS LANE TO GO
Operation of the controversial bus lane across Kew Bridge is to be suspended from September.

SPECIAL OPEN DAY FOR MAUSOLEUM
Richmond Environment Trust announce an extra open day for the remarkable Kilmorey Museum in St Margaret's, Twickenham, on July 6

FUTURE OF RICHMOND'S COLLEGES
The Learning and Skills Council's summary findings on post 16 and adult education in Richmond's colleges came before Richmond's Cabinet for discussion on Tuesday 24 June.

NEW HAMPTON PANORAMAS
Enjoy a cruise on the river at Hampton and a visit to the Privy Garden at Hampton Court - whatever the weather, wherever you are.