The following summarises representations made by Rob Gray, Chair of Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE):

·                     The old Feltham Marshalling Yards site closed as a marshalling yard in the 1960’s and subsequently developed naturally as a high value environmental site, reflected in its status as a Metropolitan level site of importance for nature conversation.

·                     The site is an intrinsic part of the proposals by the Crane Valley park steering group (including Hounslow and Richmond Councils as well as FORCE) to extend Crane park to create a new metropolitan park to be known as Crane Valley Park.

·                     The Crane Valley as a whole is recognised as one of the three most important wildlife and green access corridors in London.

·                     The proposals have the following impacts of relevance to Richmond Borough:

Ø                 Introduction of a major impediment to the permeability of the River Crane corridor and associated green chain for pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife.

Ø                 Loss of a major wildlife site and open space on the borough’s doorstep and a major part of the proposed Crane Valley Park.

·                     The Airtrack proposals at present make no firm commitments to protect the green chain or to provide links for the major environmental impacts of the scheme.

·                     Mr Gray requested that the issues raised were incorporated into the final response from Richmond Council to the detailed planning application.

In response Cabinet stated that the major impact of the Airtrack proposal on Richmond would be the barrier downtime at the four level crossings in the north of the borough. Cabinet advised that as the planning application fell within Hounslow Council, it would be appropriate for Richmond to support Hounslow’s case. However, our response would try and pick up the issues raised by Mr Gray as far as possible.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the Lead Member for Traffic Transport and Parking be authorised to write to the SoS for Transport stating this Borough's objections to the granting of an Order under the Transport and Works Act in accordance with the various points and issues outlined in this Report.

Notes: Cllr Trigg declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of FORCE.