The Hampton Wick and South Teddington Conservative Team for 2014
Tania Mathias
Gareth Evans
Tony Arbour
School Redevelopment Complete
The newly built Teddington School was officially opened in mid-May 2011 following a complete redevelopment. The new building was open to students since September, however over the last few months the contractors have been busy finishing the job.
It now boasts two wings of flexible teaching space providing five levels of enclosed classrooms and workspace linked to open breakout learning zones which look out over the heart of the school. The centre of the school includes a café, dining room and library space as well as two flexible lecture/performance spaces. All classrooms have high-tech facilities including plasma screens, new catering facilities and state-of-the-art ICT equipment.
But it is not just about bricks and mortar. The new building is designed to enhance the educational experience at Teddington School, creating a new learning environment for each individual to succeed to their full potential.
Cllr Paul Hodgins, Conservative Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “This really is an outstanding facility. The School has been redeveloped to the highest standard possible and it is a credit to the staff, governors, parents and pupils who worked hard to create such a fabulous facility.
“It is a particular credit to Richard Weeks the Headteacher, who through vision and leadership has done more than most to get us to where we are today. Teddington School now has some of the very best facilities to be found anywhere in the country and great leadership from Richard and his team.”
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New Skate Park
Building work on a brand new skate park at The King’s Field in Hampton Wick has been completed and the site was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rita Palmer, on Saturday 14 May, after local skaters, BMX riders and in-line skaters worked with the Conservative Council to plan what type of ramps and jumps they wanted on the site.
Funding was secured through an effective partnership between local young people, the Council, Richmond Youth Partnership and charities, including The London Marathon Charitable trust.
Cllr Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “Our parks and open spaces are among the shining lights of London and we are always on the lookout for how we can improve our facilities and make sure our young people have useful entertainment. We’re willing to invest in up-to-date facilities which I am sure will be well used from the word go. In the midst of so much negative news about spending cuts around the country it is pleasing to hear some good news for our younger generation.”
Cllr Christine Percival, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Children’s Services, said: “The decisions about what type of ramps and materials to use was led by the young people who used the old skate park, and the designs will challenge them to perfect their riding and skating skills. This is an ideal facility for our local children and gives them somewhere to meet and show off their tricks every day. There’s also the added benefit that it will keep them fit doing something which they enjoy.”
The interlinked sections can be ridden by different groups simultaneously whilst the central area provides a common space for the riders to socialise. Ridden all at once, as a complete circuit, the park gives a unique combination of freeform concrete terrain.
The decision to use concrete means the ramps, rails and bowls will absorb noise, be hard wearing and long lasting.
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Consulting Residents
The new Conservative Council has put consultation at the heart of all it does in Hampton Wick. Now residents’ requests for Hampton Wick High Street to be improved have been completed by the council, with the installation of a new £190,000 highway scheme.
The works include a new traffic island and a pedestrian refuge in the street to make crossing the road easier and safer, and changes to the layout of parking spaces. Approximately one third of a mile of the road has been resurfaced using surfacing that helps to reduce road noise generated by vehicles. No parking spaces have been lost as a result of the improvements.
The works were co-ordinated with repairs to Hampton Wick railway bridge, the details of which were discussed at a public meeting where residents were able to comment on options for when the road should be closed. As a result Network Rail did not close Upper Teddington Road completely as they had originally planned and previous proposals to limit parking in the High Street were dropped.
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Normansfield - Work Starts
The Council has put pressure on the owners of Normansfield, a listed building, to make good the disgraceful neglect and damage which has been permitted over many years.