Executive SummaryThe River Thames lies at the heart of London andtouches the lives of most people in the capital -whether as a focus of economic activity; a placewhere people live, work or spend their leisure time;a transport artery; a natural environment andhabitat for wildlife; a leisure and recreation resourceor simply as a source of inspiration and pride.

It has a vital contribution to make to the city'sfuture and its status as a World City. But it remainsan underused and in some places, a neglectedasset, too often seen as a barrier rather than as apositive, unifying element.

The Thames Strategy - Kew to Chelsea wascommissioned in 1999 by a steering committeethat includes the West London River Group,Greater London Authority (formerly GovernmentOffice for London and London Planning AdvisoryCommittee), Environment Agency, EnglishHeritage, English Nature, Port of London Authorityand riparian boroughs. The Steering Committeeshares a common belief that it is time to rediscoverthe Thames , to reconnect it to the rest of the city,improve the riverside environment, promote highquality urban design and bring the River Thamesback to life.

The Strategy covers the area between Kew andChelsea and reflecting the rich diversity of thisstretch of the river, from the historic waterfront ofStrand-on-the-Green to the industrial riverside ofNine Elms, promotes a long term vision. It seeks to

number of key organisations with responsibilitiesand interests in the Kew to Chelsea stretch of theriver.

Community participation has been central to thedevelopment of the Strategy and has involveddiscussions with numerous organisations withresponsibilities and interests in the study area andthe active involvement of representatives of localgroups, organisations and local schools, in additionto public exhibitions and open days.

Policy Recommendations

The River Channel

■ Encourage riparian owners andriverside developers to improveappearance and ecological value ofriver walls

provide the basis for a more holistic approach tothe many complex and interrelated issues relatingto its planning, management and use - issueswhich require the involvement and commitment ofthe public, private and voluntary sectors and localcommunities in active partnerships.

It is also a response to the lack of comprehensiveguidance recognising the distinct characteristics ofindividual stretches of the River Thames, theconflicting pressures for change and the potentialto protect and enhance the value of the River for allLondoners. It has been devised with therequirements and objectives set out in the StrategicPlanning Guidance for the River Thames (RPG3B/9B) in mind and is intended to provide the basis formanaging long term change. Additionally, theStrategy addresses the need for an effectivedelivery mechanism and co-ordination between a

Access to the foreshore Duke�s Meadow

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

T h a m e s S t r a t e g y - K e w t o C h e l s e a

■ Consider potential for retired defences

■ Review public access to foreshore.Clarify legal position andresponsibilities for public safety

■ Consistent safety approach based onRoSPA guidance

■ Protect historic steps, slipways, hardsand drawdocks

■ Encourage new pontoons and jetties

■ Upgrade/encourage provision of riversidefacilities

■ Rediscover and protect "lost rivers" feeding theThames

■ Prevent encroachment into river except forimprovement of river-related recreational or rivertransport facilities

■ Prepare river impact statements for newwaterfront development schemes and riverinfrastructure

Heritage and Conservation

■ One Thames:One Policy approach tomanagement, identification and protection ofarchaeological resource

■ Designate foreshore as Archaeological PriorityArea

■ Appoint Thames Strategy Archaeological Officer

■ Review and update UDPs to reflect the river'sindustrial significance. Identify industrialheritage sites

■ Adopt consistent approach to development ofConservation Area profiles and the funding ofenhancements

■ Restore integrity of buildings in historic settings

■ Conserve and restore historic parks andgardens ; reinstate visual and physicalconnections to the river

■ Identify/develop key cultural associations ofpeople, events, places. Connect and interprethistoric places

■ Promote traffic management and street sceneimprovements in riverside Conservation Areas

Views and Landmarks

■ Identify important local views and prospects onUDP maps. Consult on development proposalswithin viewing cones

■ Road/railway bridge improvement to includeillumination, painting, facilities for pedestrians/cyclists

■ Redevelopment to include restoration ofvisually important external features of industriallandmarks

■ Reach character, important local views/prospects/local landmarks to inform siting oflandmark buildings

■ Protect setting, skyline and backdrop ofhistorical waterfronts from adverse impact ofnew development

■ Prepare co-ordinated lighting strategyBattersea Bridge built by

Sir Joseph Bazalgette in the late 1880�s

Important local view:Hammersmith Mall from opposite bank

Landscape and Open Space

■ Prepare open space strategies and integratedland management plans for Metropolitan OpenLand (MOL)

■ Establish comprehensive project areas egDuke's Meadow, to improve appearance anduse of MOL

■ Establish more effective controls on coveredsports facilities and floodlighting on riversideMOL. Retain playing fields/sports pitches asopen recreational land

■ Protect, enhance, manage green chains andcorridors

■ Work with communities to restore/enhancepublic riverside parks and gardens. Maintainenvironmental quality and nature conservationinterest of private riverside gardens andgrounds

Recreation and Tourism

■ Encourage rowing, sailing and canoeing

■ Protect existing riverside facilities and providewell-equipped visitor moorings close to visitorattractions

■ Encourage passenger boats to attract widerpublic and promote tourist potential of the river

■ Encourage view of Thames as shared resourceand need for tolerance of others

■ Protect existing rights of way, safeguardThames Path National Trail. Improve access toand along the river

■ Encourage riverside cycling, with the aim ofcreating traffic-free cycle routes, segregatedfrom pedestrians

■ Protect historic water fronts as focus ofactivity/heritage. Promote arts, culture andentertainment

■ Protect wooded Tow Path to provide diversityof age and structure. Upgrade /enhanceriverside walkways

■ Recognise importance of cemeteries as openbreaks in urban fabric . Protect and look atways to create allotments within river corridor

Biodiversity

■ Identify and target key polluting dischargesand promote sustainable urban drainagesystems

■ Recognise and protect tidal Thames as afishery

■ Develop strategies for habitat protection,management, restoration and expansionbased on "Tidal Thames Habitat Action Plan"

■ Protect and manage Oliver's Island andChiswick Eyot

■ Tree planting programme before mature treesdie

■ Research alien species and manage effects/eradicate

■ Promote nature conservation interests,including measures to make sports pitchesattractive to wildlife

■ Environmental education programme targetinguser groups, those responsible for riversidedevelopment sites, schools and general public.Encourage involvement in conservationprojects

Wooded Tow Path, Barnes

Chiswick Eyot and foreshore at Chiswick

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

T h a m e s S t r a t e g y - K e w t o C h e l s e a

■ Promote festivals and events to realise touristpotential and focus for waterside education/community projects

■ Promote sustainable "green" recreation andtourism

■ Co-ordinate information and publicity material

■ Develop a co-ordinated recreation and visitorstrategy

Movement

■ Improve public transport interchanges.Enhance existing facilities, security andpassenger information

■ Improve pedestrian/cycle links

■ Investigate new river crossings for pedestrians/cyclists

■ Improve access to river and require high qualitypublic right of way as part of riversidedevelopment

■ Ensure accessibility to disabled people

■ Retain/upgrade existing piers and encouragenew piers at focal points of activity subject tonavigation impact

■ Increase regular river passenger travel.Introduce new services integrated with land-based public transport

■ Integrate land/river services - fares/ticketing/information

■ Encourage river transport of spoil and buildingmaterials

■ Retain freight handling facilities and safeguardwharves to encourage freight movement byriver

■ Retain existing riverside facilities eg boatbuilding sheds, marine services, slipways anddocks

Shaping Development

■ Prepare overall vision, including developmentsites/areas in transition, design frameworkand link creation

■ Adopt design guidelines for riversidedevelopment as supplementary planningguidance

■ Encourage developers to undertake detailedcharacter assessment and contextual analysis

■ Establish palette of preferred built forms andmaterials

■ Identify development and activity hubs

■ Promote mixed-use and sustainabledevelopment

■ Retain, replace and provide river-relatedfacilities

■ Prepare master plans for new open spaces

■ Consider proposals for high buildings inrelation to local context, environmental impact,quality of design, regeneration and sustainableobjectives

■ Encourage architectural competition

■ Encourage legal agreements from developersfor riverside treatment, long term maintenanceand new facilities

University Boat Race 1961

Cheyne Walk

Local Opportunities

Kew Riverside

■ Manage Tow Path and vegetation

■ Restore Kew Railway Bridge

■ Improve passenger facilities at Kew Pier

■ Restore Westerley Ware Gardens

■ Public benefits from riverside development

Strand on the Green

■ Conserve historic waterfront

■ Restore river structures

■ Repair and restore river wall

■ Improve links to adjoining areas

■ Olivers Island Management Plan

■ Riverbank improvements eg retired defencesand eradication of Japanese knotweed

■ Use Chiswick Boathouse as focus forwatersports

■ Protect Duke's Hollow nature reserve

■ Improve link to Chiswick Pier House

Chiswick and Hammersmith Malls

■ Conserve and restore riverside mansions andterraces

■ Public realm improvements

■ Conserve Chiswick Eyot

■ Increase use of Chiswick Pier

■ Enhance Dove Pier

■ Potential for Chiswick - Barnes ferry

■ Rediscover lost rivers

■ River wall improvements

■ Improved signage

Chiswick Quay, formerly Cubitt�s Basin

Mortlake

■ Environmental improvements - eg restore TowPath and historic passages

■ Enhance Jubilee Gardens

■ Improve access to the river

■ Restore Small Profits Dock

Barnes Terrace

■ Traffic management and public realmimprovements

■ Replace flood defence wall

■ Restore Barnes Railway Bridge and newcycleway

■ Future of police station

Duke�s Meadow

■ Management and landscape plan

■ Reconcile recreation, conservation and leisureroles

The White Hart PH, and recentriverside development, Mortlake

Lower Mall, Hammersmith

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

T h a m e s S t r a t e g y - K e w t o C h e l s e a

Lonsdale Road

■ Manage the Leg of Mutton reservoir

■ Protect the rural nature of the river bank andTow Path

■ Manage riverbank vegetation

■ St Paul's School landscape plan

■ Restore cobbled revetments

Barn Elms

■ Improve connections between Wetland Centreand river

■ Create "Thames Discovery Centre"

■ Green chain open space link to RichmondPark

■ Enhance recreational facilities

■ Potential for seasonal ferry

■ Enhance Queen Elizabeth Walk

■ Protect industrial archaeology

■ Tree planting and enhancement of Tow Path

Fulham Reach

■ Enhance riverside walkway

■ Riverside walk - improve access and createmissing sections

■ Restore Crabtree Drawdock and adjacentareas

■ Open space improvements

■ Interpret industrial archaeology

Fulham Palace

■ Fulham Palace conservation and managementplan

■ Palace and grounds as a heritage and visitorattraction

■ Renewal of the mature trees along the riverside

■ Further improvements at Bishops Park

■ Protect important views

■ Improve lighting and signage

■ Public realm and access improvements

Putney Embankment

■ Explore archaeological potential of foreshore

■ Restore Putney Railway Bridge

■ Improve pedestrian and cycle links

■ Extend river walk under Putney Bridge

■ Enhance Putney Hard for river sports

■ Discovery/Education Centre at Ashlone Wharf

■ Increase use of Putney PierThe Wetland Centre today

Putney Pier

Wandsworth Riverside

■ Create activity hubs

■ Wandle Delta riverbank improvements

■ Wandle Promenade

■ Public open space at Feathers Wharf

■ Rejuvenate Wandsworth Park

■ Improve links to surrounding area and publictransport

■ Reopen Battersea High Street Station

Mid-stream moorings off Wandsworth Park

Hurlingham and Sands End

■ Safeguard wharves

■ Enhance Hurlingham Park

■ Upgrade river walk; improve links; missingsection

■ Restore Broomhouse Drawdock

■ Protect archaeology

Chelsea Harbour and Chelsea Creek

■ Extend river walk over creek/under railwaybridge

■ Pedestrian link across Battersea RailwayBridge

■ Chelsea Harbour/Imperial Wharf as leisure/activity hub

■ Increase use of the existing pier/river services

■ Enhance Chelsea Creek environmental/heritage value

■ Maximise public benefits from newdevelopment

■ New station and public transport improvements

Chelsea Embankment

■ Conserve historic townscape

■ Restore Cremorne Gardens and street trees

■ Increase use of Cadogan Pier

■ Protect views from bridges

■ Reinterpret Ranelagh Gardens and RoyalHospital

Battersea Riverside and Park

■ Integrate public spaces

■ Restore and enhance Battersea Park

■ Potential for re-use of existing pier

■ Connect to future leisure/transport facilities atBattersea Power Station

■ Enhance river walk

■ Improve interpretation facilities

■ Restore Ransomes Dock

Nine Elms

■ Redevelopment of Battersea Power Station asleisure and regeneration hub

■ Better links with surrounding area, egBattersea Park and public transport

■ Safeguard wharves

■ Potential for new cross-river pedestrian link

■ New railway station and public transportimprovements

■ New riverside walk

The Way Forward

The preparation of this Strategy is seen as a firststep in working to provide for a better long termfuture for the River Thames between Kew andChelsea and for promoting greater public use andenjoyment of the River. The Strategy will continueto evolve over time in response to new challengesand opportunities. Key decisions will need to bemade about the delivery and management of theStrategy and how this will be funded andimplemented. An Action Plan will be prepared witha programme of priorities and targets for delivery ofthe Strategy.

Worlds End

Battersea Power Station

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

T h a m e s S t r a t e g y - K e w t o C h e l s e a

Delivery and Management

The Strategy has already been adopted asSupplementary Planning Guidance by the LondonBoroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslowand Richmond-upon-Thames; this should ensurethat the Strategy is given consideration in planningapplications and decisions that affect the Strategyarea. It is envisaged that the Strategy policyrecommendations will also be considered in futurereviews of the riparian boroughs' UnitaryDevelopment Plans to establish a more consistentand coherent approach to planning policies relatingto the River and the consideration of developmentproposals.

■ Co-ordinate actions through existing initiativesand partnerships (for example other Thamespartnerships)

■ Establish a new partnership (the Cross-RiverPartnership and Thames Landscape Strategy-Hampton to Kew are examples of partnershipsset up to address river-related issues andprovide useful models)

■ Establish a strategic partnership covering thewhole of the Thames within London (potentialfor this clearer when the London Plan ispublished)

The selection of a Strategy management structurewill be subject to detailed discussion between theSteering Committee and others.

Consultation

This Strategy has already undergone a tremendousamount of public consultation. It is recognised thatthe Strategy will continue to evolve over the years,and further public consultation will be essential,particularly in project development.

Community Involvement

The Strategy aims to promote greater communityuse and involvement in the river. Indeed there are anumber of opportunities to work towards this:

■ Creation of focal points of community activity

■ Extended programme of community activities

■ Involvement of local community trusts,organisations and individuals in development

and implementation of specific projectsdetailed in the Strategy

■ Involvement of community at early stage inpreparation of development proposals

■ Establishment of a community organisationdatabase

■ Dedicated website

Chiswick Eyot with Chiswick Mall behind

The Strategy also identifies a number of possiblemanagement structures for the implementation ofthe Strategy:

■ Single entity implementation (individualstakeholders undertake projects within theirdefined area of responsibility on a project byproject basis)

Education

The Strategy recognises the need to develop theRiver as an educational resource, to introducechildren and adults to the river and to providetraining for decision-makers. The Strategy seeksto build on existing initiatives in the study area andsets out proposals including:

■ Establishment of an education working group

■ Website link to schools and the community

■ Further development of educational resources

Strand on the Green

■ New consultation approaches, e.g. Enquiry byDesign

■ Training for developers, decision makers andplanners

■ Establishment of local discovery centres

Foreshore at Duke�s Meadow

Battersea Riverside

Funding

Funding will be required to maintain the day-to-dayrunning of the Strategy and will also be required forspecific project implementation. The fundraisingwill need to be carefully considered, co-ordinatedand targeted. It is intended that the Strategy willdraw funding from a range of potential sources,including:

■ National, Regional and local Agencies/Authorities

■ Riparian boroughs

■ Regeneration programmes

■ Lottery Funding

■ Developer contributions

■ Sponsorship

■ Fundraising

The Steering Committee has already submittedfunding applications for the early stages of Strategyimplementation and is working hard to identify andsecure further funds.

The Action Plan

The next step is to prepare an Action Plan that willprioritise and set targets for the implementation ofthe Strategy. The Action Plan will be reviewedregularly but initially will include:

■ Prioritisation of strategic and local projects fordevelopment and implementation

■ Finance review, identification of fundingopportunities, funding application submissions

■ Confirmation of consultation procedures

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

T h a m e s S t r a t e g y - K e w t o C h e l s e a

Local and Strategic Issues