Construction Set to Begin on Emanuel Hollow Site
Project near Dukes Meadows seeks to 'uplift' underused area
A visualisation of how the area might look after the changes. Picture: Hounslow Council
February 3, 2026
Construction is set to begin shortly on long-planned improvement works at Emanuel Hollow in Dukes Meadows, following the finalisation of designs by Hounslow Council after more than a year of consultation and preparatory work.
The project forms part of an ambitious programme to restore and upgrade key areas of Dukes Meadows, with Emanuel Hollow — located next to the new footbridge by Barnes Bridge — identified as a priority site after funding was secured to “restore and uplift” the underused area.
Several elements of the wider Dukes Meadows programme have already been completed, including safety improvements to Riverside Drive, repairs to the nearby playground, and restoration works to the Promenade Approach and Pump House in collaboration with the Dukes Meadows Trust. Emanuel Hollow itself has remained in the design phase until now.
According to the council, final plans for Emanuel Hollow have now been agreed following public consultation, and contractors are currently being engaged to develop a construction timetable. The council has said it is aiming to complete the works by the end of summer 2026.
Feedback gathered during consultation in 2024 showed that safety was residents’ primary concern. Respondents described the site as feeling unsafe due to poor visibility, lack of lighting and limited natural surveillance.
In response, the council says the new design opens up the site by removing redundant fencing, low-quality shrubs and other obstructions that previously blocked sightlines and light. These changes, some of which have already been implemented, are intended to improve visibility for pedestrians and drivers while creating a more welcoming public space.
Overview of the plan for Emanuel Hollow. Picture: Hounslow Council
Access and usability were also highlighted as major issues, with residents pointing to uneven surfaces, poor drainage and muddy, sunken areas that made movement through the site difficult. The final design includes regraded paths, improved drainage and a clear pedestrian route behind Emanuel Boathouse. A DDA-compliant route from the new footbridge will be retained, while new gravel paths will provide access into the centre of the site.
While improvements were widely supported, consultation responses showed a strong desire for Emanuel Hollow to retain its natural, green character rather than becoming overly formal or urban.
The council says more than half of the site will remain untouched as a natural area, with biodiverse planting introduced elsewhere to enhance wildlife habitats. Plans also include encouraging wildflower growth and pollinators through changes to surface treatment on parts of the site.
A distinctive sculptural feature will form part of the redevelopment, using three metal girders preserved from recent works on Barnes Bridge. These will be installed in the central walking area as a visual link to the bridge’s history.
Additional measures include the installation of bollards to prevent vehicle access and fly-tipping, continued road safety improvements at nearby junctions, and the replacement of removed shrubs with new planting selected on ecological advice.
The plans follow an in-person consultation held at Emanuel Hollow in September 2024, attended by around 25 residents, and a wider public survey that ran from October to December that year. Design work continued throughout 2025, alongside preparatory landscaping and earthworks carried out by Network Rail to support the final layout.
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