Aerial Location Plan 6

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Aerial Location Plan 6 Aerial Location Plan 6 Maidenhead Bridge River Thames Mill Lane 93. The existing unused gas holder sits in a fl at area of grass. Bath Road Bath Jubilee Relief River 94. The footpath runs parallel to the National Grid Land to the right. Key Access Routes River Thames 103 102 96. View looking back up the footpath north eastwards with the open 101 meadow to the right. 97 100 98 96 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT ACCESS DESIGN AND 95 94 93 99 101. Three storey apartment buildings of low architectural merit 13 /// TAPLOW RIVERSIDE TAPLOW /// 13 Route Detail 6 opposite the Windrush Car Showroom. 95. Panoramic view from the mid-point of the southern boundary to the open meadow looking northwards. The existing Gas Holder and plant room are visible through the trees. 97. View taken opposite the proposed entrance to the site looking towards the Windrush Car Showroom with Skindles in the 98. View looking east along the Bath Road opposite the proposed site 99. View looking west along the Bath Road with the site frontage on 100. Traditional domestic scale properties on the south side of the background. entrance. the right. Bath Road opposite the proposed site entrance. DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT ACCESS DESIGN AND 102. Vantage point from the north eastern corner of the junction of 103. View looking through the entrance of the existing boatyard with 14 /// TAPLOW RIVERSIDE TAPLOW /// 14 Mill Lane with Bath Road looking towards the Maidenhead Bridge. Maidenhead Bridge in the background. heritage assets’ in the terms of the National Planning Policy • Inclusion of native species in landscaping, and a variety of Framework (NPPF, 2012). trees, shrub and grassland species to promote structural EXISTING diversity on site benefiting a range of species. Immediately adjacent to the site’s southern boundary is the Grade I listed Maidenhead Bridge. Beyond the site on the west CONSTraiNTS side of the Thames, the Maidenhead Riverside Conservation Flood Risk Area occupies the riverside opposite the site. Their settings will The site has a number of key constraints which need to be therefore need to be considered in any proposals. The site is bordered by the River Thames on the west and the Jubilee River (Flood Relief Channel) on the east, both flowing considered in the development of the proposals. To the east lies the Taplow Conservation Area, which incorporates from north to south. Bath Road, the A4, forms the southern a number of listed buildings including the Grade II listed Taplow • The site sits within a designated area of Green Belt land. boundary and provides dry escape to the east. Mill Lane Court, and the scheduled remains of a Saxon barrow, church bridges over the Jubilee River and provides a dry escape to the • Planning guidance restricts the amount of proposed and cemeteries. The extensive grounds of Taplow Court are also north east. development to not exceed the footprint of existing buildings. designated a Grade II Registered Park and Garden, and there are • One of the gentleman’s villas is Grade II listed with other two other Registered Parks and Gardens at Berry Hill to the south The Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Maps show the majority of important non listed homes of local historical interest within east (Grade II), and Cliveden to the north (Grade I). the site to be within flood zone 2 (Medium Risk), with some areas the wooded banks of the Thames. to the north and west falling into flood zone 3 (High Risk). The The design of the proposed development has responded extent of the 1:100 year plus climate change flood plain is shown • Development is restricted within large areas of the site which to these constraints by adopting different character areas. in Figure 2 which overlays the Environment Agency’s modelled are in a flood zone with only a limited area in the centre of the The industrial area of the former mill will accommodate the flood levels with the site topographic survey levels. KEY site outside the flood zone - this boundary is indicated by the apartment buildings, whilst the area around the open common blue line (see fig.2). will have a village feel. The vacant historic buildings will be The site has flooded to varying degrees in the past and this is • There are significant areas of mature woodland and tree belts returned to their original residential use, and conserved as recorded in the historic flooding maps appended to the Flood 1 in 100 year + climate including a large zone of high ecological value. appropriate, ensuring their survival and long-term future. In Risk Assessment. However, since the Jubilee River flood relief change/flood event extent The gas holder is no longer in use. We are currently in discussion respect of the proposed replacement of Skindles, the approach channel was brought into use in 2002, the site has not flooded, 1 in 100 year flood event extent with National Grid to bring forward their land as part of a has been to adopt a restrained, astylar form for the restaurant other than very minor flooding in 2003, when low lying land comprehensive redevelopment of the site. building and loggia which draws on neoclassical influences. This close to the Mill Races was flooded. Existing topographical contour is intended to allow the Grade I listed bridge to remain the star in The diagram on page 19 graphically represents these constraints. river views, while being a polite neighbour to it (as well as to the Planning diverse other styles and forms nearby). The similar building on KEY : the other side of Mill Lane will re-establish the historic duality of 1 IN 100 YEAR + CLIMATE CHANGE FLOOD EVENT EXTENT The Core Strategy identifies the Mill Lane Opportunity Site as the old Skindles Hotel, which occupied buildings on both sides 1 IN 100 YEAR FLOOD EVENT EXTENT an area where comprehensive redevelopment would offer the of the road. EXISTING TOPOGRAPHICAL CONTOUR potential to address existing planning problems. The Mill Lane Taplow SPD identifies the following constraints: Ecology • Green Belt The Mill Lane Site is dominated by previously developed land and associated structures, however also supports semi- • Flood Risk natural habitats of nature conservation value including semi- RIVER THAMES • Conservation/ Heritage; natural broadleaved woodland, semi-improved grassland • Archaeology; and connecting shrub, hedgerow and ruderal habitat. The adjacent River Thames and Jubilee River are of particular nature RIVER • Land contamination (gas holder); JUBILEE THAMES conservation value and measures are designed into the RIVER • Biodiversity; scheme to avoid direct effects upon these watercourses and • Trees; associated ecology. • Bath Road access A suite of ecological surveys have been completed between These form a complex range of site constraints which guide the approximately 2007-2011, and these were updated in 2014 to JUBILEE scale, form and location of future development opportunities. provide robust, current baseline information regarding ecology RIVER ENT on Site. The Site is used by at least eight bat species for foraging M The most influential are expanded on within this section. Some TE of these constraints can also be seen as opportunities. For and commuting and three species roost on Site within built A ST structures. Common reptile and amphibian species are also example trees act as screening and provide amenity value to present, including grass snake, common toad and smooth newt ESS residents and visitors. within develop-able areas. The assemblage of bird species Heritage D ACC present includes a variety of species reflecting the range of N habitats present, of note is the presence of breeding kingfisher A Much of the site lies within the Taplow Riverside Conservation N (a species listed under Schedule 1 of the WCA and afforded IG Area, which was originally designated by South Bucks District Glanville ES special protection). D Council in 1999 but extended and re-designated in 2006. DE Ecological avoidance and mitigation measures will include: I Glen Island House is statutorily listed at Grade II (list entry ERS no. 1392491). • Creation of alternative bat roosting opportunities to replace IV R The Taplow Riverside Conservation Area Character Appraisal those to be removed, and appropriate working methods W identifies several buildings on the site – the Power House, Mill licensed by Natural England where appropriate to mitigate effects upon bats; Project Engineer : P.W Scale : 1:2000 @A3 Island Cottage, Mill Island House, Dunloe Lodge and the former Project Director : H.G Date : AUG' 2014 Status : Rev TAPLO Hotel (including No. 5 Mill Lane) – as all making a positive • Creation of alternative bird nesting habitat, with areas /// contribution to the character of the conservation area. On this specifically designed to be suitable for kingfisher, to avoid net 15 basis they might also be considered to be ‘non-designated loss in bird diversity on Site; Flood Boundaries Maidenhead Bridge River Thames Mill Lane Bath Road Jubilee Relief River KEY Boundary Taplow Existing Trees Court Existing Buildings River Listed Buildings Area of High Biodiversity Values SSSI STATEMENT ACCESS DESIGN AND Future Phase 16 /// TAPLOW RIVERSIDE TAPLOW /// 16 Constraints Diagram SITE OPPORTUNITIES The site constraints inform the potential development areas out of which opportunities will start to shape the general design concept for the redevelopment of the site. In conjunction with the Landscape architects, PRP Architects have developed a landscape led development strategy which will create a sense of place and enhance accessibility and connectivity for existing and new residents and businesses. Our analysis of the existing site and surrounding area has led us to understand it is a collection of places, spaces and routes but they lack cohesion and connectivity both physically and visually. Our concept seeks to address this and to release the site development potential to create a new residential quarter sitting harmoniously with the existing employment and leisure uses, through creating the opportunity for further commercial uses on the site, as well as enhancing the existing landscape to encourage safe routes through and use of the meadow and woodland.
Recommended publications
  • Wickhams MAIDENHEAD • BERKSHIRE Wickhams MAIDENHEAD • BERKSHIRE
    wickhams MAIDENHEAD • BERKSHIRE wickhams MAIDENHEAD • BERKSHIRE Charming riverside home Maidenhead 2 miles (London Paddington from 26 minutes) Beaconsfield 7 miles (London Marylebone from 23 minutes) M4 (Jnc 8/9) 4 miles • M40 (Jnc 2) 7 miles • London Heathrow 15 miles Central London 27 miles (distances and time are approximate) Accommodation Reception hall • Drawing room • Dining room • Kitchen/breakfast room Sitting room • Orangery • Utility room Master bedroom with en suite bathroom • Lounge/bedroom with balcony Bedroom with en suite shower room • 3 further bedrooms Family bathroom Garaging • Garden stores • Summer house/office Tennis court • Landscaped gardens • Mooring In all about 0.6 acres These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the text. Wickhams Wickhams stands in a delightful setting adjacent to the River Thames on perfectly to enjoy the fabulous views of the River Thames along with a the edge of the popular commuter town of Maidenhead. Close by are the pedestrian access to the towpath and the owners mooring. charming villages/market towns of Cookham and Marlow which offer a Internally Wickhams is in very good order with many original features picturesque setting for a good selection of restaurants and boutique shops. and has been a superb family home for many years. Of particular note is Approached over a long driveway the property is set well back from the the spectacular drawing room which features a large bay window and an road towards the eastern edge of its plot, this position places the property exceptionally high ceiling.
    [Show full text]
  • Berkshire Record Office
    BERKSHIRE RECORD OFFICE MISCELLANEOUS UNOFFICIAL COLLECTIONS D/EX 1934 _______________________________________________________________ Photographs and negatives of Berkshire scenes, taken by Thomas A Wilkie of Guildford, Surrey, photographer, c.1950s-1980s. (12 bdls, 6 docs) Presented in July 2005 (acc. 7647) Cat: LS 1/2008 _______________________________________________________________ BERKSHIRE RECORD OFFICE MISCELLANEOUS UNOFFICIAL COLLECTIONS D/EX 1934 _______________________________________________________________ THOMAS A WILKIE'S BERKSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHS [Thomas A Wilkie was born in the Scottish Borders on 13 October 1920, and moved to Surrey as a gardener employed by the Duke of Northumberland. He learned photography while serving in the RAF during the Second World War, and in 1950 became a professional photographer specialising in commercial, agricultural and industrial photography. He was a member of the National Union of Journalists. He retired in 1989, and was still alive in 2005.] [Copyright in the photographs in this collection is vested in Berkshire Record Office.] 1/1-7 Photographs of Bracknell New Town new 1 bdl n.d. [1969] shopping centre (nos. BE/108-112) and industrial estate (nos. [BE/115 and 128]). 2 Photograph of the River Thames from 1 doc n.d. [1982] Caversham Bridge (no. BE/299). 3 Photograph of Compton Church (no. BE/100). 1 doc n.d. [1967] 4 Photograph of East Garston village, showing 1 doc n.d. [1963] the village cross and a group of women pushing prams (no. BE/15). 5 Photograph of houses and fields in Goosey 1 doc n.d. [1963] (no. BE/40). 6/1-2 Photographs of the Kennet and Avon Canal at 1 bdl n.d. [1983] Hungerford, one showing The Rose of Hungerford narrowboat (nos.
    [Show full text]
  • Cruising Guide for the River Thames
    Cruising Guide to The River Thames and Connecting Waterways 2012-2013 Supported by Introduction and Contents As Chairman of BMF Thames Valley, I am immensely Introduction 3 proud to introduce the 2012/13 Cruising Guide to The River Thames Management 4-5 the River Thames and its connecting waterways. The Non-tidal River Thames 7-13 Cruising Guide has been jointly produced with the Environment Agency and is supported by the Port Bridge Heights - Non-tidal River Thames 14 of London Authority - it provides all the relevant St John’s Lock - Shifford Lock 15 information anyone would need whilst boating on Shifford Lock - Sandford Lock 16-17 The River Thames and its connecting waterways. Sandford Lock - Benson Lock 18-19 BMF Thames Valley is a Regional Association of the Cleeve Lock - Sonning Lock 20-21 British Marine Federation, the National trade association for the leisure boating industry. BMF Thames Valley Sonning Lock - Boulter’s Locks 22-23 represents around 200 businesses that all share a Boulter’s Lock - Old Windsor Lock 24-25 passion for our inland waterways. 2012 is going to be Bell Weir Lock - Shepperton Lock 26-27 an exciting year on the River Thames with the London Shepperton Lock - Teddington Lock 28-29 2012 Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. What’s new for 2012! The Tidal Thames 30 • New map design Tidal Thames Cruising Times 31 • Complete map of navigable River Thames from Lechlade Teddington Lock - Vauxhall Bridge 32-33 to the Thames Barrier • Information on the non-tidal Thames - Environment Agency Lambeth Bridge
    [Show full text]
  • River Thames Bathymetric Data Analysis
    DRAFT REPORT REV 3 River Thames Bathymetric Data Analysis Prepared for Environment Agency January 2016 Burderop Park Swindon SN4 0QD United Kingdom Contents Section Page Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ vii 1 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 2 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Need for study ................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 2-2 3 Data ................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Data sources .................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Bathymetric surveys ........................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2.1 Available data ..................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.2 Survey methods .................................................................................................. 3-3 3.2.3 Survey data resolution
    [Show full text]
  • Crossrail Technical Assessment of Historic Railway Bridges
    Crossrail Technical Assessment of Historic Railway Bridges Prepared by: Rob Kinchin-Smith RPS Planning & Environment, Oxford in association with MoLAS 21st January 2005 RPS Planning & Environment Mallams Court 18 Milton Park Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RP Tel 01235 821888 Fax 01235 820351 Email [email protected] Contents Summary 1 Introduction 2 Methodology 3 Historical Background and Description 4 Description and Individual Assessments of Sites 15 to 29 5 Overbridges on the London to Bristol route 6 Cumulative Assessment of Sites 15 to 29 Bibliography Figures Appendices Appendix A Summary of historic features between Paddington and Bristol Appendix B Proposed World Heritage Site Description Appendix C Photographs of Selected Bridges between Paddington and Bristol Summary The purpose of this report is to assess the significance of nine historic bridges that would be affected by the Crossrail project. All nine of the bridges were constructed as part of the London & Bristol Railway, otherwise known as the Great Western Railway (GWR), engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and built and opened in eight sections between 1835 and June 1841. They are all located on the first section of the railway to be completed (from Bishop’s Road, London to Maidenhead Riverside), opened on June 4th 1838. These nine overbridges were originally of a single span. Each has been extended at least once, but all retain significant elements of their original fabric, most notably their main 30ft span semi-elliptical arch over the railway. All of the bridges are examples of a single generic bridge type, constructed in the United Kingdom in thousands during the 18th and 19th Centuries, in order to carry lesser roads and lanes over canals and railways.
    [Show full text]
  • Brunel and His Contemporaries – a Victorian Engineering Legacy
    Brunel and His Contemporaries A Victorian Engineering Legacy Teaching Resources (Image Courtesy of Institute of Civil Engineers & Brunel 200) © Gloucestershire County Council Brunel 200 Education Pack Page 1 of 28 May 2006 CONTENTS 1. About this Pack.......................................................................................3 2. Brunel: the Man and his Legacy............................................................3 3. Historical Context: the Growth of Industrialisation .............................5 4. Brunel and His Contemporaries ............................................................6 5. Brunel in Gloucestershire......................................................................9 6. Visiting Museums and Historic Sites ..................................................12 7. Classroom-based Activities.................................................................14 7.1 Plan a Railway in Your Playground: Geography, Mathematics, Design & Technology...............................................................................14 7.2 Design a Railway Uniform: Design & Technology, History........14 7.3 Day-Trips Then and Now: Design & Technology, History, Mathematics..............................................................................................16 7.4 The Battle of Mickleton Tunnel: English......................................18 8. Timeline .................................................................................................20 9. Glossary ................................................................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • The River Thames
    THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000–2000 The River Thames THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 The River Thames By James Bond, Anne Dodd, Jill Hind and Trevor Rowley INTRODUCTION By AD 1000, the Thames was largely established along its modern course (Fig. 1). The character of the river and its immediate environs has been studied as part of numerous archaeological investigations in the valley (Booth et al . 2007; Lambrick et al . 2009; Morigi et al . 2011). By the time of Domesday Book, extensive areas along the river banks were cultivated as hay meadow, and detailed local archaeological studies suggest that this could have begun as early as the 8th or 9th century (eg Booth et al . 2007, 331–6). In places, earlier channels silted up as the alluvium left behind by seasonal floods heightened, extending old river islands and creating new ones. There is abundant evidence for human intervention in these processes from the late Saxon period onwards, with the dumping of soil and refuse at the water-edge to raise the ground level, infill unwanted channels and extend habitable land. The cutting and stabilisation of these channels provided water for milling, industrial processes and navigation. Between AD 1000 and 2000, the Thames provided a wide range of resources to local inhabitants. It was an indispensable source of water for brewing, washing, irrigation and industry; it was the chief drain and sewer of the region, carrying away human and industrial waste; it provided power for mills; it was a source of fish and wildfowl, and of reeds, rushes and willow for flooring and wickerwork; and, it was a highway for transport between the west, the midlands and the port and capital city of London.
    [Show full text]
  • In This Issue
    NEWS Issue 4/07 October 2007 David Lunn explains how the Council works: See page 9. In this issue AGM Agenda and Reports Maidenhead’s New Waterway – Teamwork made it happen! Regular features on Talks, Outings, the Heritage Centre, Projects and Planning Visit our website! : www.maidenheadcivicsoc.org.uk Registered with the Civic Trust Registered Charity No. 272102 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE I have just re-read what I said for the corresponding issue last year. The strategic view I gave then remains as true as ever. Few of the problems I highlighted have gone away and there remains much to be done. However, a lot of progress has been made in the Society and the Group structure we have been developing is leading to results. The big news in the last quarter is that the Council has to go back to the drawing board with its Core Strategy. As Nigel Cockburn indicates in his report, this was not really a surprise but it will mean more time and work and a considerable delay before the central document in the Local Development Framework is in place. The good news is that in spite or because of a change in administration at the Town Hall, it appears that plans for the regeneration of the town centre are to be a priority. This is something the Society has been trying to get onto the agenda since the Strategic Review, so we will be watching and worrying this one. Within the Society new initiatives are becoming readily evident from the new groups formed as part of the emerging new constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • Maidenhead Riverside Conservation Area Appraisal Foreword
    Conservation Area Appraisal Maidenhead Riverside June 2010 Planning Policy Manager Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Town Hall St Ives Road Maidenhead SL6 1RF Maidenhead Riverside Conservation Area Appraisal Foreword By Councillor Mrs Alison Knight Lead Member for Planning and Development The Borough Council has carried out studies of the two former riverside Conservation Areas around Boulters Lock and Maidenhead Bridge, and has now designated a new, extended Conservation Area. This area extends along Ray Mead Road, linking the two former areas and continues southwards to encompass the riverside properties of The Fisheries estate. This long riverside Conservation Area helps to reinforce the fact that this is an area of special quality. This appraisal document, which describes the important features and characteristics of the area, will be used when planning decisions are made that affect the area. The approach used follows advice set out in English Heritage guidance. This is the first full appraisal to be carried out for the two former Conservation Areas and is part of a longer-term project to review all the existing Conservation Area Appraisals in the Borough, and to complete appraisals for Conservation Areas that do not presently have one. The Maidenhead Riverside Conservation Area Appraisal also includes a Five Year Conservation Area Management Plan, which is intended to summarise the actions that the Council plans to take in the period to ensure that the character and appearance of the area is preserved or enhanced. A draft version of this document was subject to a public consultation exercise during December 2009 and January 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Mill Lane, Taplow
    HeritageCollective Initial Archaeological Appraisal Mill Lane, Taplow Introduction 1. This initial archaeological appraisal has been prepared by Karl Hulka AIFA of Heritage Collective on the basis of the information provided by CBRE and by data held on the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Historic Environment Records. The assessment has reference to an earlier Archaeological Impact Assessment (CgMs, 2009) and the principles for development of the subject site as set out in the document ‘Mill Lane Taplow – Supplemental Planning Document’ (South Bucks DC, 2013) which forms part of the South Bucks Local Plan. A plan showing the ownership boundary was supplied by CBRE and this has been taken to form the extent of The Site assessed by this archaeological appraisal, hereafter referred to as the ‘The Site’. In order to provide an adequate background to the archaeological potential of the study site, a search radius of 1km from The Site centre has been used, hereafter referred to as the study area and the entries from the two HERs have been plotted to produce an A3 archaeological constraints map supplied as Appendix 1 of this appraisal. A list of the entries is included as Appendix 2 of this appraisal. The advice is not given with reference to any specific development plans but gives a general background to the archaeological potential of The Site. 2. The Site lies to the east of Maidenhead in the floodplain of the Thames and currently forms an island with the Thames to the west and the Jubilee River Flood Relief Channel now separating it from the land to the west.
    [Show full text]
  • Rocket III; IBK Might Have Approved of This Leviathan of a Motorcycle
    A small man sporting a crinkled top hat and a knee length jacket and waistcoat mingles with the tourists at the SS Great Britain trust’s Bristol dock. The actor playing Isambard Kingdom Brunel represents a small man physically but a giant in the history of Britain’s industrial revolution. Bristol is celebrating the birth (on April 9, 1806) of the Victorian engineer throughout the summer, and the 200th birthday party promises exhibitions, concerts, street festivities and fireworks over the Clifton suspension bridge. I plan a pilgrimage from Paddington Station West, taking in the party weekend and following the route mapped out by one of Brunel’s ROCKET greatest triumphs, the Great Western Railway (GWR). My chosen transport is a Triumph Rocket III; IBK might have approved of this leviathan of a motorcycle. It’s 2.5 TO BRUNEL’S FIREWORKS metres long; weighing 320kg and powered by a massive 140bhp 2.3-litre three-cylinder motor. Additionally, it’s British, Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed some of the greatest, most substantial works made at the Hinckley works of Triumph motorcycles. of engineering ever made. So, to mark his 200th birthday we took another Piloting the giant machine to Paddington, threading my hefty lump of British iron to the sites of his greatest achievements way through the capital’s congested thoroughfares it needed Words & photography: Martyn Goddard Left and above Rocket III in front of the Royal Albert Bridge, Plymouth; Brunel’s statue on Victoria Embankment. 9806 06 04117 06 July IKB dl.indd 58-59 11/5/06 16:28:01 TRIUMPH STUNT RIDER traffic free A46 heading for Box tunnel.
    [Show full text]
  • A User's Guide to the River Thames
    A U S E R 'S GUIDE TO THE RIVER THAMES En v ir o n m e n t a g en c y NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE THAMES REGION Kings Meadow House. Kings Meadow Road. Reading RG1 8DQ ENVIRONMENT AGENCY En v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y KINGS MEADOW HOUSE, KINGS MEADOW ROAD, READING, BERKSHIRE RG1 8DQ TELEPHONE: 0118 953 5000 Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, the Agency cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions. Edition 2. 1998 WELCOME TO THE RIVER THAMES The Environment Agency acts as the Guardian of the Environment, protecting and improving it for future generations by regulation and direct action. The Agency's Thames Region, which embraces the Navigation and Recreation Service provided by the former National Rivers Authority, encourages the pursuit of a variety of recreational activities along the 136 miles of the freshwater River Thames for which it is the managing authority. It achieves this through the efforts of lock staff and Navigation Inspectors throughout the length of the non-tidal river. The Thames is an attraction for numerous activities: anglers, boating enthusiasts, canoeists, dinghy sailors and yachtsmen, holidaymakers in hired craft, naturalists, oarsmen, swimmers and sub-aqua divers and walkers. With so many interests competing for space, is the river large enough to accommodate them all without conflict and risk to personal safety? The answer is yes - provided that all river users are safety conscious and practise good river manners. One of the Agency's jobs is to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy their activity, without impairing the enjoyment of others.
    [Show full text]