SOUTH COLNE DETAILED STRATEGIES SUB-AREA 3 South Colne character South Colne is characterised by flatter topography as the River Colne approaches its confluence with the Thames. Braided watercourses and flood meadows typify the landscape, which is dominated in aerial views by a series of large reservoirs, the product of historic gravel extraction industry in the area. The South West London Reservoirs are internationally significant for the populations of overwintering birds they support, some from as far afield as the Arctic. This area also includes Heathrow airport and the extensive associated transport infrastructure. In close proximity to the airport lie some significant heritage assets including Harmondsworth Barn, the largest timber- framed building in England. © Brian Robert Marshall CC Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.net Harmondsworth Barn River Colne flowing through Staines Moor Lakes and reservoirs important for SOUTH COLNE overwintering wildfowl DETAILED SUB-AREA 3 STRATEGIES © Stefan Czapski The Causeway at Staines Reservoir Ankerwycke Priory - home to the Ankerwycke Colne Brook at Wraysbury - important for Yew wildlife Colne & Crane valleys green infrastructure strategy 51 South Colne area strategy overview The strategy for South Colne and Heathrow associated opportunities for education and is to improve and repair the landscape and interpretation and new viewpoints. connectivity for people and wildlife, conserve INTERWOVEN RIVERS and enhance valuable ecological habitats and Water and biodiversity enhancements should aim promote access for all to new and improved to restore floodplains and focus on the benefits of RECREATION landscape destinations. natural landscapes to contribute to natural flood LOCAL + GLOBAL management in this low lying landscape. The Roads and other major infrastructure in this area Duke of Northumberland’s River and Longford WATER SPORTS create particular severance and impair the River close to Heathrow could be enhanced TRANSFORM quality of the user experience. Improvements for water flow, water quality, wildlife value and S to footpaths and cycle routes including over pedestrian experience. O and under roads with potential new ‘greened’ THAMES CONFLUENCE bridges (e.g. over the M25) will help to reconnect Heathrow airport has a huge impact on this U people with their landscapes, improving landscape with regards to noise, severance T ENHANCE opportunities for health and wellbeing as well as and associated transport and landscape H biodiversity. fragmentation. The special features such as C W conservation areas and listed buildings such as O There is an opportunity to create new ‘gateways’ Harmondsworth Barn should be conserved and LNE to the Colne Valley Regional Park at the Thames, their settings enhanced, taking opportunities to Staines and Wraysbury to increase awareness of focus landscape restoration in connecting assets the park and reinforce strong connections to the and biodiversity corridors together. Areas such Thames Path and other nearby sites including as Harmondsworth Moor (the largest park in the DETAILED Ankerwycke Priory and Runnymede. Potential area) are unique and under threat, requiring STRATEGIES for a ‘gateway arts project’ integrated with a careful protection. potential new river crossing at the Thames/ Colne Brook confluence could form part of a series of A potential strategy for the remnant farmland river end destinations linked to the River Thames in this area may be to consider converting it Scheme. Gateway sites such as at Staines and to multi-functional landscapes for recreation, Wraysbury should incorporate clear, defined ecosystem services and other types of productive routes with signage and interpretation which links use such as fruit-growing. There may be a to existing recreation routes. potential opportunity for a new regional cultural centre and landmark such as opera house/ arts The huge water bodies present a major centre/ museum. opportunity for creating a regional water recreation hub destination, based on existing uses such as fishing, sailing, birdwatching and swimming, but enhanced with vibrant new facilities such as a visitor centre, landmark sculpture, bird hides and viewing platforms with 52 Colne & Crane valleys green infrastructure strategy SC101 LC101 SC201 SC201 h c it D SC202 SC203 ley SC102 ig B SC102 SC205 SC102 SC102 SC204 SC111 SC204 SC206 SC102 Poyle SC208 SC207 Channel SC102 SC106 SC209 SC104 SC105 SC107 SC103 SC210 SC102 SC111 LC111 SC011 SC112 SC112 SC102 SC212 SC111 SC215 ook r SC213 SC214 B e SC112 ln LC107 o Duke Northu of C SC216 mber land's SC111 River SC111 SC109 SC112 SC214 r SC103 ve i R y SC217 r DETAILED u STRATEGIES b s LC217 SC218 y a r SC111 W SC219 SC110 SC217 SC226 SC221 SC220 C D o it u c n h ty SC113 LC222 SC111 SC113 SC222 SC225 LC224 SC223 SC114 SC114 SC113 SC224 SC225 South Colne and Heathrow SC001 ¯ SC114 Scale at A3: 1:25,000 0 0.25 0.5 1 km © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 (Ordnance Survey 0100031673) Colne & Crane valleys green infrastructure strategy 53 South Colne schedule of opportunities 1 Water / wetland focused opportunities 1 Open space / green infrastructure 1 Access / connectivity focused focused opportunities opportunities No. Title Description Link to Principles Further comments 1. Celebrate landscape, character Opportunity for new landmark gateway to identify the mouth of Confluence of Colne with the and heritage SC001 the Colne where it meets the Thames and Thames Path. Ensure Thames 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle linked with opportunity SC114/ SC222. connectivity Existing restoration plan at Kingsmead, taking opportunities to 1. Celebrate landscape, character ensure links into the wider landscape. and heritage 2. Protect and enhance the natural South of Horton landscape SC011 Conserve and enhance heritage features along Colne Brook environment Biodiversity Opportunity Area. enhancement including mills and sluices. 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle Conserve and enhance views to Horton Church (Grade I listed) connectivity local landmark. 6. Boost health and wellbeing To connect into existing/ potential Improve pedestrian and cycle access over M4 e.g. new green 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle new routes (e.g. MC108). Area of SC101 Improve access over M4 footbridge. connectivity search from Horton Brook is the West to footpath IV20 in the East Poor quality streetscape and Create new access link for pedestrians and cyclists between potential impacts from possible Colnbrook/ Poyle to Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve to link in with Heathrow expansion. existing footpaths and the Colne Valley Trail. Area of fragile landscape due to Recognise significance of and link to Colnbrook village. Improve due to blight, lack of management Pedestrian and cycle access 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle existing Colne Valley Trail to north of Wraysbury Reservoir– regimes, and short term minerals/ SC102 links between Colnbrook and connectivity investigate potential for diversion off-road. Create a safe waste activity. DETAILED Staines Moor STRATEGIES crossing point of Stanwell Road and improve crossing of the Benefits for local communities M25. Opportunity for new green bridge to provide acceptable and access to local green space. pedestrian /cycle experience shielded from M25, trading estate Improves connections between and Heathrow airport. communities, open spaces and the river corridor. Access improvements near Create new crossing over the A4 (busy road currently lacks existing 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC103 Colnbrook crossing). Benefits for safety and connectivity of Colne Valley Trail. connectivity Opportunity to create new cycle route around southern, northern and eastern perimeter of the Queen Mother Reservoir, linking Queen Mother Reservoir 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC104 Datchet with the existing entrance to the sailing club and linking cycle route connectivity existing cycle route adjacent to Majors Farm Road (B470) to area south of Colnbrook. Connects reservoirs with Frays Island Investigate potential for new link to Colne Valley Trail on section of 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC105 Potential green link and Mabey's Meadow Nature disused railway. connectivity Reserve. 54 Colne & Crane valleys green infrastructure strategy No. Title Description Link to Principles Further comments 2. Protect and enhance the natural Flood risk benefits SC106 Poyle channel Enhancements to river channel. environment Potential new link from Sunnymeads Station to nearby water 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC107 Sunnymeads link recreation destinations such as the Aqua Park, local bus services connectivity and existing on-road link to Horton village. Currently poor pedestrian experience, very narrow and Stanwell to Stanwell Moor Improve pedestrian connectivity and experience along the 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC109 heavily enclosed. Short distance Reservoir link northern side of Staines Reservoirs. connectivity where pedestrians must walk on footpath adjacent to B378. M25 underpass Improve existing underpass to M25 along Wraysbury River, including 3. Improve pedestrian and cycle SC110 enhancements consideration of lighting, path width and signage. connectivity Existing condition of public rights of way is relatively poor, with some poor crossings. To encourage walking/ cycling between local communities of Staines, Stanwell Moor and Heathrow and north. Upgrade existing access routes forming part of the continuous Forms important link from major Colne Valley Trail at King Colne Valley Trail foot/ cycle