Council Thanks Residents for Keeping Their Distance over Easter


Marshalls, wardens and police also thanked for keeping parks and river path safe


Hammersmith & Fulham Council has thanked local residents for keeping their distance while outside over the Easter weekend, tweeting @LBHF: " We're pleased to report the vast majority are observing social distancing rules in our parks and on the Thames river walk. This is very good news. Thanks everyone. Please #StayHomeSaveLives."

The rules were reinforced by police officers and river marshalls, after the Thames path west of Putney Bridge was closed from 10am till 6pm to cyclists and runners and a new queuing system brought in on Hammersmith Bridge.

The council tweeted: " To our river marshalls, park wardens, police and all the key workers across H&F who are working this Easter Sunday to keep our residents safe: Thank you for all you are doing."

It also published a series of pictures showing the results of their work in our parks.

H&F Police had a similar message, tweeting @MPS HammFul:
" Patrolling the open spaces of Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea. It’s really refreshing to see socially responsible people adhering to The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 so far today."

And they added later: "5.5hrs into open spaces patrols & I’m delighted to be able to say that we’ve not had to encourage anyway to leave yet as everyone appears to abiding with the regulations. As a special treat to all the well behaved children we’ve been able to hand out a few Easter eggs as we go! "

In Shepherd's Bush, where officers used loudhailers to persuade sunbathers to go home last weekend, the police tweeted this message @MPSShepherdBush:" Thank you Shepherds Bush for your efforts with the current guidelines . Let’s keep this going ! Thumbs up #StayHomeSaveLives."



Social distancing on Hammersmith Bridge

Residents also took to Twitter to express their approval. William O'Neill tweeted @WillsLon: "Very impressed to see 2M distancing at the river walk, marshals on every corner making us all safe and allowing us to exercise safely during this time. Thanks to all involved."

Nikki Moore Brougham tweeted @girlgeekchic: " Thank you for the measures you took on the Thames’s river path Fulham, with cyclists and runners. The river marshalls made such a big difference,we actually enjoyed a safe walk and managed to maintain social distance. Pls can it stay like this for the rest of lockdown."

Residents also thanked the marshals in person, with some offering gifts of ice creams and lollies.

These new rules proved so successful that the council has announced the Thames path will now remain closed for cyclists and runners, 10am to 6pm, from Chiswick Mall to Putney Bridge.

Walkers will still be able to use the river path at all times, and cyclists and runners asked to use the path only before 10am and after 6pm. The queuing system on Hammersmith Bridge also remains in place.

The council says the scheme will be kept under constant review during the current lockdown.

April 14, 2020