A group of volunteers from Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE), were joined by councillors, council officers and the developer St James officially open the borough’s newest green space.

Twickenham Rough is an important environmental site next to the new residential development at Brewery Wharf opposite Twickenham Station. In the 1800s it was farmland and, following industrial development, it became sandwiched between the Old Sorting Office, the railway track and the River Crane, making it inaccessible to the public and it became overgrown.

When the Sorting Office was sold to St James for development it was agreed that Twickenham Rough would be transferred to the Council and become public amenity land.

The site has now been opened to the public with a footpath and cycleway running through it. The shared use path starts behind the M Bar and Grill and extends to the Marsh Farm Lane footbridge by Craneford Playing Fields.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment at Richmond Council, said: “Since the Twickenham Rough opened to the public earlier this year, it is already being actively used. As both a route for pedestrians and cyclists, it is a natural green space that everyone can enjoy.”

Rob Gray, Chair of FORCE, said: “FORCE Trustees and members are delighted that this new linear riverside open space and pathway, linking Twickenham and the station to the lower Crane valley and Crane Park, has been opened. FORCE will work alongside the council and the wider community to ensure this new community asset is maintained and improved as an important new link in the green chain along the River Crane.”

Paul Hopkins, Managing Director of St James commented: “We are thrilled to be part of the opening of a new riverside walkway in Twickenham, stretching from the recently completed piazza of Brewery Wharf, delivered by St James to an existing footbridge. This extension opens up a previously closed-off stretch of the River Crane, improving connectivity both through Brewery Lane and to the wider Twickenham area.”