The Twickenham Conference
The Twickenham Conference was held at Twickenham Stadium in the Live Room on Saturday 30 October between 10.00am and 4.30 pm. It was attended by almost 400 local people plus a host of speakers and panel members. The conference followed on from the Barefoot Consultation which was held in June and gave local people an opportunity to discuss further the issues that came out of that exercise. The following is a brief summary of the day’s proceedings. Full minutes of the day can be viewed by following the link at the bottom of this article.
Cllr True welcomed those attending and explained that the conference was following on from the Barefoot Consultation earlier in the year. The purpose of the event was to discuss the future of Twickenham and is part of the Council’s commitment to listen to the views of the community.
Neil Wholey, from Westminster City Council, went on to present the findings of the Barefoot Consultation. He explained that 800 residents took part in the consultation and gave their views by completing questionnaires, ideas cards, artistic impressions, speaking on the soap box and making video presentations. The results show four key areas as clear priorities for the residents of Twickenham. They are: North Twickenham Station and the Post Office Development, King Street, Twickenham Riverside and General Street Scene. Other themes which emerged were: creating a strong identity for Twickenham and keeping the town ‘low-rise’, creating vistas and making the station a gateway to the town.
Peter Thomas, the RFU Corporate Communications Director then gave a short presentation, outlining the RFU’s role within Twickenham and their commitment to working with the local community to ensure that the area is successfully development in time for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He believes the tournament will be a vital boost to the local economy as well as providing a platform to exhibit the culture of the town to a global audience.
For each of the below sessions, a short video was shown – outlining a number of animated expressions of the key ideas local people raised during the Barefoot Consultation.
North Twickenham Station and the Post Office Site
Key issues raised in this debate included:
- Concerns regarding high rise in Twickenham, exemplified by the Regal House development. People do not want any repeat.
- Requests for more parking (or less) and shops at the station, a possible ice rink, a new school or low density housing on the Post Office site.
- Concerns about high quality and non-overbearing design.
- Interest in the opening of a piazza north of the station or a welcome to Twickenham.
The Solum representative on the panel told the conference that the architect being used would create a design that residents would be proud of.
Cllr True concluded by reminding conference that although the Council does not own either the Train Station site or the Post Office site, it intended to produce a strategy document that would develop the DPD and guide development.
King Street
Key issues raised in this debate included:
- Small business owners should be considered in any plans.
- Parking and transport
- High business rates
- Crime and safety
- Urgent need to engage with the owner of the south side of King Street.
- Compulsory purchase orders
- Shop fronts need enhancing
- Relocating the farmers market.
Cllr Fleming concluded that everyone would like to see King Street regenerated in some manner, so that its appearance and amenities were improved by 2015. It would also be important to encourage a sustainable retail centre in order to attract more visitors to the town.
Twickenham Riverside
Key issues raised in this debate, included:
- Link between King Street and the Riverside and opening up the area.
- Parking
- Engaging with the residents on Eel Pie Island.
- Complete redevelopment of the Terrace.
- Working with other organisations e.g. Network Rail and developers
- Open space linked to a town square.
- Encouraging more businesses to the Riverside.
- Engaging with young people
- Developing a bridge between Radnor Gardens and Ham.
Following a lengthy debate Cllr True concluded that anyone who had additional comments, can email them to: Twickenham.conference@richmond.gov.uk
General Street Scene
Key issues raised in this debate, included:
- Need for the area to be more attractive and pedestrian friendly.
- Area lacks character
- Street furnishings (pavements/seats/curbs etc)
- Need for a uniform design
- Possible cinema in Twickenham.
Funding
Cllr True addressed the conference regarding the issue of funding. Reminding attendees that anything that was agreed upon would need to be paid for. He raised four specific routes regarding: Commerce, Council Finance, Voluntary and Private Sector Finance and the Community.
He also discussed the current economic climate but announced that the Council would be prepared to make a capital contribution towards an agreed community strategy.
Conclusion
Cllr True concluded the conference by reminding attendees that the next stage of the process would be setting up a Twickenham Advisory Panel and for interested people to send in their applications.(NB. The closing date for applications has now closed, successful candidates will be announced by the end of December)
He also assured the conference that while it will not be possible to do everything, he will make Twickenham and place to be proud of.
(pdf, 135KB)