Progress on the Barnes Bridge Walkway and Call-in Developments

Chiswick Homefields ward councillor John Todd reports back on his week

The piling is being put in place for the Barnes Bridge walkway. Picture: John Todd

The Barnes Bridge Walkway

After nearly three years of development, work has started in earnest.

Currently a number of piers are being built. Piling work enables their construction to be conducted without unnecessary delay because of the tide.

The New Civil Engineer’s daily newsletter describes the bridge as ‘one of the lowest carbon and most environmentally conscious bridges in the UK.’

In mid-February the largest section of the bridge will be delivered by floating the structure in during high tide and then as the tide recedes, the span will seat itself on its foundations.

Both contractors on site Knights Brown and Cowi have offered work experience placement to pupils at Chiswick School.

A sponsored rowing race involving the bridge contractors and a local rowing club due to be held on 26 November has so far raised £1200 for the Hogarth Youth Club.

A local botanist identified a rare weed on our site. Our senior ecological consultant commented, "I have made some research. It is an interesting case. Club-Rush (S. x carinatus - the plant on site) is an infertile hybrid from Triangular Club-rush (Schoenoplectus triqueter) and Lakeshore bulrush or common club-rush (Schoenoplectus lacustris).

"The hybrid, Club-Rush (S. x carinatus) apparently was last reported to occur on site (or near the site as the location is not clear) in 1931. The hybrid is Nationally Rare and is in the Red list GB-EN but it is not a protected species under schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA). Indeed, it should be protected on site as recommended by the botanist due to its rareness.

"Interesting though that one of its parents - Triangular Club-rush (Schoenoplectus triqueter) is a protected species under schedule 8 of the WCA. I am not aware of this species occurring on site though, although there are records of the species within 1, 2 or 10km from site, the most recent one being from 1930."

Call in developments

I’m pleased that those who live east of the A316 now have unfettered access to Staveley Road by Chiswick School including those previously unfairly excluded including blue badge holders, carers and the disabled. I’d personally like to see a pedestrian crossing or pelican lights outside the school main entrance. Regrettably the Chiswick Horticultural and Allotments Society members cant access their shop (Monday -Saturday) by car unless they have an allotment in Staveley Road.

Proposed installation of telecom equipment. New legislation and related matters

Constituents complained about a proposed telephone mast being placed on the roof of a council property. The response is a tad wordy but contemporary, so I’ve shown it in full.

"A new Electronics Communications Code, introduced within Schedule 1 of the Digital Economy Act 2017, came in to force on 28 December 2017 and has been incorporated as Schedule 3a of the Communications Act 2003 (the “Code”). One of the Government’s key aims of the new Code is to deliver on the public benefit of having access to a choice of high-quality electronic communications services. This new legislation severely limits the Council’s powers to decline applications for the installations of new telecoms equipment.

"Telecoms providers are now acting on this and using the legislation to identify land and buildings to install equipment in order to deliver that service to the public, as envisaged by the Code. In the first instance arrangements to access sites to undertake surveys are being requested by the providers to ascertain the suitability of the identified location.

"The request in relation to British Grove is in fact an initial survey and will not necessarily lead to the installation of a mast. As you may expect, there are very limited circumstances that the Council can reject the request to undertake such an investigative survey in light of the new Code.

"More generally, with regards to any requests from registered telecom providers to either upgrade existing rooftop equipment or in the identification of sites for new telecom equipment, the Council as the landlord, has Statutory Access Obligations to the registered telecom providers, under the new Code.

"Unfortunately, even where the Council seeks to take into account local objections, access requests can be imposed to benefit the telecoms providers without Landlord consent by the Courts. The Council continues to engage with registered providers regarding applications for new or improved equipment in order to minimise disruption where possible.

"For more information on the Code please visit the OFCOM website (www.ofcom.org.uk) and we also refer you to the OFCOM Code of Practice.

"In planning terms, some, but not all, proposals for the installation of masts require that the telecoms provider first obtain planning permission from the Council. For further information on planning matters, decisions and processes, please refer to: https://planning.hounslow.gov.uk/

"Concerning 5G and health, the government has, in collaboration with Ofcom, produced information explaining the facts about 5G. Please refer to following GOV.UK link: Factsheet 6: 5G - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)."

Pension Fund training ESG

I attended a property fund briefing breakfast at the Gherkin. The host was Columbia Threedneedle a fund that LBH owns units. I find these two or three hour training sessions most beneficial as were joined by fund and pension managers who rigorously probe the presenters in a professional manner.

Our fund endeavours to follow best practice including ESG

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors as part of their analysis process to identify material risks and growth opportunities.

Cllr John Todd
john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784651

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Most council meetings are now taking place in person at Hounslow House though a few, such as licensing panel meetings, continue to be held virtually. Even if they are held in person, you can watch them live (or later) on the council's YouTube channel . Please check for each committee by looking at the agenda reports pack for each committee.

The key council meetings coming up are:

• 16th November: Cabinet
• 30th November: Borough Council

Chiswick Homefields ward

Cllr Patrick Barr
patrick.barr@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703263

Cllr Gerald McGregor
gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784821

Cllr John Todd
john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk
07866 784651

Chiswick Riverside ward

Cllr Michael Denniss
michael.denniss@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703274

Cllr Gabriella Giles
gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk
07966 270823

Cllr Sam Hearn
sam.hearn@hounslow.gov.uk
07833 376222

Turnham Green ward

Cllr Joanna Biddolph
joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 703446

Cllr Ranjit Gill
ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702956

Cllr Ron Mushiso
ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 702887

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November 21, 2021