The Campaign To Protect Hamilton Road Electricity Works in Twickenham
Category: <span>News</span>

Category: News

Residents disturbed by ‘suspicious’ activity at Electricity Works

In the early hours of the morning the lamp on the top of Harrison demolition truck that is parked on site disturbs residents in Talbot Road. It has been flashing all night and causing serious and annoying light pollution. Residents from Talbot and Hamilton Roads email Bill Bailey with their complaints including past worrying activities by Harrison Demolition. These include early morning drilling, fly tipping and the burning of toxic waste. Bill Bailey says that he will tell the company to quit the site on 27 September.

Campaigning at FORCE Fair

Cathy Cooper had a stall at the FORCE Open Day on the Craneford playing fields. She was able to publicize and raise awareness about the history of the Hamilton Electricity Works and their proposed demise. The display attracted a constant stream of visitors from other parts of Twickenham. Many remarked on how lovely the buildings looked from the photographs and it was very convenient to be able to point them out from where the marquee stood. When it was explained that the buildings were under threat of demolition, the reaction against this was so positive that a petition was quickly put together for people to sign.

Public meeting in the Salvation Army Hall to discuss the revised plans

This was attended by over 40 people including Vincent Cable MP, Cllrs Clare Head and David Marlow; Mike Day from FORCE, two Lib Dems and residents. The plans were laid out on tables for all to examine. The developers and architects were on hand to answer questions and engage in healthy debate about aspects of the plans. There is still concern over the proposed demolition of Building 3, which is an important part of the Electricity Works and is also a landmark over the Crane Valley. The density of the proposed development is still far too high with 32 units and the design of new builds not sympathetic.

Plans are submitted to the Design Panel at York House

Plans are submitted to the Design Panel at York House. Afterwards there is an informal meeting between six residents, the developers and architects, chaired by Cllr Clare Head. This is also to show the new plans.

Campaigning at HANDS Fair

HANDS Fair, Twickenham Green
Cathy Cooper invited by Rob Gray of FORCE to display information about Hamilton Electricity Works on the Local Agenda 21 Network stand. Besides great interest from members of the public in all related environmental issues, we had visits from Cllr David Trigg, Twickenham Riverside, and Cllrs David Marlow and Clare Head, West Twickenham.

Cathy Cooper spoke to the local History Society and Twickenham Museum with the aim of having a display panel put up in the Museum on the history of the Electricity Works and surrounding area.

Campaigning at Richmond May Fair

Richmond May Fair
The Environment Trust for Richmond Upon Thames displayed information sheets and photographs of the Electricity Works along with their other projects. Cathy Cooper helped man the stand and answer questions.
There was a lot of interest from passers by including residents from Hamilton Road and Lion Road. One of these residents was interested in hiring out a unit on the site and said that there was a lack of affordable office/storage space in the area. Before the developers bought the site, there were a lot of light industrial units ranging from upholsterers to motor bike repair shops. The locals could freely wander around the site and chat to the tradesmen. There were even little sales on a Sunday.

Cathy Cooper had a long discussion with members of the Twickenham Society who support our cause and Rob Gray from Force who has kindly agreed to let us have a display on his stand at the Twickenham Green H.A.N.D.S Fair on the next Bank Holiday.

We were then visited by the new Leader of the Council, Serge Lourie and Susan Kramer MP for Richmond Park and took the opportunity to pose for a photo.

It was a very constructive day out and fame of HEW is spreading.