Twickenham Park's Future Reviewed at Open Day

12.53.10pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 31st Aug 2005

On Saturday (3rd September) there will be an Open Day to review council plans for rugby pitches, illuminated by floodlights, on what is now the parkland of Kneller Gardens. Plans are being discussed between a local club (the Thamesians) and the council. Residents are however concerned over the environmental impact of floodlighting and extra parking requirements and are suspicious of the council's long term plans. Some will be leafleting the event to express their concerns. (Contact Jo Faulterer 8894 7103 or 07880730381)

Vincent Cable supported residents three years ago in their campaign to save Kneller Gardens Park when there were proposals to fence it off from the public and give the land to a secondary school for playing fields - the plan was subsequently dropped. He said: "the residents I have spoken to have absolutely no problem with the idea of a local rugby club playing on the pitches and would welcome the proposed improvements in the pavilion. But they worry about the floodlighting and the parking implications for Meadway, which already has dreadful problems. And after the previous attempt to subvert the public purpose of the park, there are some suspicions as to where this development might lead. Certainly I would want to see absolutely copper-bottomed guarantees that there will be no restrictions on public access".