Garden Bridge Plan for Chiswick
Barnes Railway Bridge could get a 'green promenade'
Garden link would be created on left hand section. Picture: Patche99z CC by 3.0
A scheme for a Garden Bridge style project on Barnes Railway Bridge has been announced. The plan which is being driven by Barnes Town Centre Manager, Emma Robinson, has received ‘in principle’ agreement from Network Rail. It would see a ‘green promenade’ created on the bridge which links Barnes and Chiswick.
The walkway would be created on the original but now disused part of the bridge that was built in 1849 to a design by Joseph Locke. In 1895 this part of the bridge was decommissioned after the three span wrought iron bridge carrying two railway tracks was completed. This bridge also has a pedestrian walkway alongside the tracks.
The so-called Barnes Garden Link would have benches offering views up the Thames and would be a similar but far cheaper concept to the controversial Garden Bridge project.
It is hoped that an arrangement can be made in which the bridge could be ‘adopted’ by the Barnes Community Association.
The next step is a feasibility study and a full costing of the project which would be used to make applications for funding to the Mayor of London and the National Lottery.
The project has the backing of Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith.
Barnes Railway Bridge. Picture: Google Street View
July 10, 2016