Thames Strateg y - Kew to Chelsea Foreword Fulham Palace in May 1999. The meeting, chaired consultation has been a fundamental and extensive by Nick Raynsford, then Minister for London, part of our work. Agencies, organisations and the Over centuries the River Thames has played a addressed by John Gummer, who was Secretary of wider public have played an essential role in its major role in shaping the lives of Londoners. Today State for Environment when the Strategic Planning development and in suggesting mechanisms to it continues to play a vital role in terms of open Guidance for the Thames was prepared, and deliver projects. We are grateful for all those who space, recreation and the historic environment as attended by representatives of the Agencies and attended the workshops and public meetings for well as functioning as a transport artery and a Boroughs, agreed to set up the Steering Committee their valuable contributions and feedback. I hope water and drainage resource. to prepare and implement the Thames Strategy – they will see their input in this Strategy. Kew to Chelsea. The Strategy has been made The Kew to Chelsea stretch of the Thames is The Strategy however is only a starting point. It possible through partnership commitment and the unique: it is the transition between the Arcadia of sets out a vision for the future. We need now to core funding provided by the Government Office for Kew and above, and the Metropolis of Lambeth, grasp and build on this unique opportunity. Westminster and below. So local people, and I London (GoL). believe most Londoners, while accepting the need For me, a private citizen, membership of the for change, are concerned that its varied, verdant Steering Committee and having been invited to chair but vibrant character should be conserved and it, have been stimulating and rewarding experiences. enhanced. We therefore see The Thames Strategy I would like to thank Chris Sumner of English – Kew to Chelsea as providing a fundamental Heritage (Vice Chairman), the riparian boroughs framework for a vision for the River as we move especially John Fannon, Nicola Spalding and Kirsty st forward in the 21 Century. Johnson at Hammersmith & Fulham for contract The gestation of this Strategy is owed to several. management and administrative support, Stephen The West London River Group (WLRG) brings McAndrews (Hounslow) and Philip Wealthy together riparian amenity societies and residents (Richmond upon Thames), Angela Dixon and Peter groups, and the preparation and implementation of Makower of the WLRG, Donna Clack and Jason a Strategy has been one of its goals. Kim Wilkie, Debney of the TLS, Jane Carlsen and Sarah Elliot of principal author of our sister strategy upstream, the Greater London Authority (formerly GOL and Roger Weston The Thames Landscape Strategy – Hampton to LPAC), Richard Copas of the Environment Agency, Chairman of the Thames Strategy - Kew to Chelsea Kew (TLS), gave the WLRG help and James Trimmer of the Port of London Authority, and Steering Committee and Chairman of the West encouragement. Tony Colman MP instigated an Ian Munt of the London Rivers Association. I also London River Group adjournment debate on Thames Riverside thank WS Atkins Planning Consultants, who Development in the House of Commons back in undertook the study, and in particular Richard Alvey February 1998. We enjoyed his support and that of and Joanna Chambers for their dedication and his fellow MPs in the riparian boroughs. Philip professionalism. Davies and Geoff Noble of English Heritage who Throughout the evolution of this Strategy, wide together with the WLRG held the seminar at.