Half Mile Tree

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The Site

Half Mile Tree is located approximately half a mile to the north of Kingston town centre, approximately half a mile to the south of Teddington Lock, and is wedged between the River Thames and Lower Ham Road.

The Project Plan

1. Improvements to the walking route
   The defined route on the lower footpath was rarely used and difficult to access.
2. Reduce the clutter
   Half Mile Tree marks the point where the urban Thames meets the pastoral Thames - it is a sensitive environment. There were many signs, posts, columns and bollards that detracted from the semi-natural setting.
3. Open up views of the river
   The riverbank is a valuable semi-natural environment. However, the scrub and sapling trees obscured views of the river.

Work Completed to Date

The project was completed in late 2006.

1. The existing footway has been re-routed as shown on the plan. Previously the defined route took walkers into an area used for car parking, which was unattractive and potentially dangerous. A further routing improvement has been introduced to the small triangular area between the bollards and the highway that was previously laid in green tarmac (signifying cyclist priority). This area has been re-laid in the same resin bonded gravel as the shared path (signifying shared use).
2. The signage has been simplified and any unnecessary signage and posts removed along with the relocation of a lighting column just to the south of the car park.  The lighting column close to the mature horsechesnut tree has been left due to local residents concerns (expressed in response to the proposal to replace the column on the opposite side of Lower Ham Road).
3. These works offered the opportunity to open up some attractive views looking downstream in the direction of Teddington Lock and upstream towards Stevens Eyot. The scheme involved selective removal of some of the sapling trees on the riverbank opening up glimpses of the river. Some of the standing dead wood has been removed, but not all, as this provides a habitat for wildlife.
   
   A stainless steel lectern and a wooden bench have been located to benefit from the views opened up of the river as shown on the plan and illustration.

Please refer to the plan and illustration by using the links below: