Plans to improve the draw dock beside Kew Bridge

Access to the river at the draw dock beside Kew Bridge

A walkway over the mud would make improve river access

Plans are afoot to improve access to the River Thames from the draw dock beside Kew Bridge at Strand on the Green.

“Over a hot summer the mud builds up there”, Paul Hyman, founder / owner of Active 360 told The Chiswick Calendar, whose paddleboarding company is in one of the arches under the bridge.

“Every tide, you get mud dropped there. Over the winter when you have rain like we’ve had for the past month, it washes it away, but over the summer when it’s dry it builds up”.

Anyone using the river has to squelch through mud that may be ten centimetres deep to get into the river to take part in water sports. The slipway is used not just by the local clubs – Chelsea Kayak Club and Edge Canoe Club also use the arches – but families walking on the shore and visitors taking part in water sports activities who may pull in for a rest and to use the local facilities.

Visitors trying out water sports at Kew Bridge during Tidefest

The mud “takes the edge off Tidefest” Paul told us, the annual celebration of the river at Strand on the Green in September, when visitors are encouraged to examine the wildlife on the foreshore on river walks and to try out free taster sessions of water sports.

READ ALSO: Tidefest at Strand on the Green 2025

Paul has been talking to the Port of London Authority, which owns the strand, water sports clubs and the Strand on the Green Association about getting a strip of decking laid on the draw dock, creating a walkway out over the mud about ten – 15 cms above the foreshore.

“It would be close to the wall with a handrail and can be made to look attractive, or inconspicuous; it won’t affect the view of the bridge or anything, and it can probably be done for less than £10,000”.

Paddleboarders on the draw dock 

The PLA “seem very up for the idea”, he told me; the water sports clubs are “on board with it” and the Strand on the Green Association are also “keen”. He wants to hear what local people think about it. Contact him at info@active360.co.uk and he will collate the comments.

He has talked to a company who would put ground screws into the ground up to two metres deep to anchor it, and discussed materials with the PLA, who favour galvanised steel with a tread. They will need to issue a river works licence for the work to go ahead.

The next stage is to get drawings done so the plan is ‘spade ready’ and they can apply for grants to cover the cost. The PLA would also need to commit to taking responsibility for its long term upkeep.

“It’s a public area and it would make access to the river much better”, said Paul.

Photograph of the day by Anna Kunst – annakunstphotography.com

Photograph of the day by Anna Kunst – annakunstphotography.com

Paddleboarders on the drawdock beside Kew Bridge and children exploring the wildlife of the foreshore; Photographs Anna Kunst

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