Twickenham Green Lighting Consultation

Overview

Richmond Council is launching a new pilot project to light the central path across Twickenham Green - a measure designed to make residents feel safer crossing the park. The pilot has been introduced following August's memorial event to mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of Amelie Delagrange.

The Council is committed to tackling issues such as violence against women and girls (VAWG) and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The new lighting has been installed this autumn and will be piloted for 12 months, with a review after six months to assess its impact.

Before the progressing with the pilot, the Council needed to consider six key areas - you can read more about these below:

Safety and security Safety and security

Richmond is the safest London borough, with a crime rate of 70 crimes per 1,000 population over the last 12 months, compared with the London average of 125 crimes. However, there has been a 25% increase in recorded VAWG offences in the borough over the same period (rising from 16 to 20 offences).

Twickenham Green is set on well-lit main routes and the green itself is open with clear sightlines from one end to the other in most places. However the Council feel the lighting trial is an important tribute to the memory of Amelie Delagrange and a sign of its continued effort to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.

Some local residents have also raised concerns about anti-social behaviour on the green, which it is hoped the lighting trial will help to alleviate.

Visual impact Visual impact

It is important that any changes to the lighting are sympathetic to the setting of Twickenham Green. The Green lies within a conservation area and has been designated an Other Open Land of Townscape Importance (OOLTI). You can read more about conservation areas on the Council's website at richmond.gov.uk

Ecology impact Ecology impact

Any changes to lighting need to minimise any impact on the ecology of the Green. The Council completed an initial bat survey which identified a high likelihood of bats in the area, however further surveys have not identified any bat roosts in the closest trees. The new lighting is adjustable and controllable within 30 metres of the tree canopy, which will minimise any potential impact.

Appropriate standards Appropriate standards

Any new lighting must meet road lighting design standard BS5489. The Council considered five different lighting solutions before deciding on the best solution to meet the needs of the project.

Implementation works Implementation works

The project needed to cause minimal disturbance to the physical infrastructure of the Green, as well as to local residents and visitors. The lighting was also chosen to be easily removed if the project is not taken forward following the trial.

Cost Cost

The proposed lighting solution needed to be cost-effective in terms of purchase, installation and operation. The cost of buying and installing the selected lighting is £12,000.

What lighting scheme is being piloted?

Following a period of collaboration with expert advisors and local partners including the Police and the Friends of Twickenham Green, an optimum solution for the 12-month pilot was identified. The new lights will be solar LED lights with motion and daylight sensor lamps. They will operate at a low level during the hours of darkness and become brighter when the sensors are triggered. They are also a cost-effective solution and have been used successfully elsewhere in the borough on the tow path by Hammersmith Bridge.

What will the trial involve?

The lighting scheme was installed in October and will be piloted for 12 months, with a review after six months to assess its impact.

Residents, community groups and other interested parties are invited to share their views throughout the pilot period. This will help the Council assess the level of support for the scheme and ensure that all comments and concerns are considered, both during the pilot period and before any decision is made on how to proceed after the pilot.

Please note, this consultation is only concerned with the new lighting being piloted on the central path across the Green, not the existing lighting around the Green.

Have your say

Please give us your feedback using the Online Survey link below. If you need to request a paper questionnaire or any other format, please email consultation@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8891 1411 quoting Twickenham Green Lighting Consultation.

Give Us Your Views

Online Survey

Areas

South Twickenham

Audiences

Open to all

Interests

Richmond Borough

Contact