BY CLLR VIVIENNE LEIGHTON (SPELTHORNE)
The River Thames Task Group (RTTG) was set up two years ago to improve Spelthorne’s relationship with the Thames along its prime 12 mile river frontage, both for the enjoyment of residents and also to attract more visitors to the borough.
The philosophy is for the task group to engender a local sense of ownership and responsibility by working practically with river-users, partners and the community. Key to this, the task group includes people from river interest groups, businesses and other relevant organisations, i.e. all individuals who share a common interest in the river.
Spelthorne doesn’t own all the riverbank; other riparian owners include householders with private frontage, the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council. These various ownerships from Staines-upon-Thames to Sunbury were mapped in preparation for a cruise where council officers met key river users to view and discuss potential opportunities. As well as riverside centres Staines, Sunbury, Laleham and Shepperton, attractively maintained locks at Penton Hook, Chertsey, Shepperton and Sunbury, Spelthorne has several attractive parks and open spaces beside the river.
Generally the task group aims include upgraded facilities at key visitor locations for those arriving either on river trips or private cruisers, availability of boats for hire, enjoyment of the Thames Path, river safety and river clean ups.
Our major completed project is a new jetty in Staines so trip boats can pick up and drop off passengers on tours up and down the river, connecting the town with Hampton Court and Windsor.
This also frees up more mooring space for private cruisers visiting the town.
Further completed projects include installation of throw lines at appropriate locations along the river to improve safety and upgrading of the toilet and parking facilities at Shepperton Lock. Other achievements so far are several improvements to the banks of the Thames, support of volunteer groups on litter picks and assisting a project to provide electric hire boats at the Lammas.
Plans include increasing and improving moorings, protecting wharf areas and adding welcoming and informative signage. In the Sunbury area major potential initiatives are looking at how to improve access for the disabled along Kings Lawn and for a new passenger ferry linking Spelthorne & Elmbridge. Both the latter would support river access and visibility for Spelthorne’s visitor attractions the Walled Garden and Millennium Embroidery.