BUSHY PARK POLICE COVER ALREADY DOWNGRADED
The police cover of Bushy Park has already been downgraded and is expected to be removed altogether by September, the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Bushy and Home Park was told tonight.
The Friends and local MP’s for both Richmond and Bushy Park have urged the Metropolitan Police Commissioner not to remove the police cover over fears of anti-social behaviour. The police say the cutbacks are necessary because of budget constraints imposed by the government.
Most recent speculation has suggested the police for Bushy and Richmond parks will be completely removed by December but the Chair of Friends Colin Muid said tonight he thought it would be removed by September.
“I believe it will happen,” Chair Mr Muid told the 100 attendees of the AGM at St James’s Church. “The police unit is being disbanded.”
On a more positive note he revealed that the electric buggy ferrying those with mobility challenges from the Diana Fountain to The Pheasantry cafe will be reinstated this summer.
Mr Muid admitted it had been one of his biggest ‘frustrations’ with the Royal Parks, which control the purse strings for such projects. He said: “I let me feelings known and as far as I understand the order has been placed.”
He said: “Somewhat frustrating this year for the Friends has been the wait for an electric buggy which is to carry visitors between the Diana car park and the Pheasantry car park. This will mitigate difficulties faced by people with limited personal mobility who cannot now be driven by car along the no through-road of Chestnut Avenue.
“Our trial use of a buggy in 2023 proved the need and we have persuaded TRP to supply a new one which we will operate with volunteer drivers. However, changes in personnel at TRP headquarters have contributed delays and despite our requests for action, the year has passed by without a delivery. We remain on the case and hope the coming year will see a
successful outcome.”
The Chair revealed that over 2000 people attended the ‘scaled down’ picnic in the park for Chestnut Sunday last year and 1500 people saw the special exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day organised by local historians David and Clare Ivison.
In the Chair’s written presentation, he added: “The Woodland Gardens have been defined a little more with maturing shrubs and more mature trees, which are able to cope with climate issues, installed to succeed those which have died; and over forty thousand bulbs have been planted.
“The tree canopy has reached a point where much of the canopy has grown to the same height, so it is now being layered to encourage younger growth and more natural difference in heights.
“Grass cutting is now done in strips with areas of long grass left to grow seed, which improves habitat for invertebrates and costs less to maintain. Leaf clearing is now being done differently, mulching leaves and leaving it on the ground to encourage worm and invertebrate action which is good for the soil.
“Broom Clumps, the area alongside the roadway to the Pheasantry car park, has been cleared of undergrowth allowing new planting and more deadwood habitat for those species which rely on it.
“The Brewhouse area and the Water Gardens and Longford cascade bridge are being refurbished. You should have spotted the green roofs on the litter bins in the Woodland Gardens, and the area newly landscaped next to Crocodile gate, projects proposed and implemented by TRP’s Apprentices working in the park.
“Some of Bushy Park’s infrastructure is being given attention. The roof surrounding the Pheasantry café is to be repaired as it leaks, and the toilets by the Playground are also to be substantially
restored to modern capabilities – the pipework is very old cast iron and often has blockages.
“The wooden planters on Chestnut Avenue, which were temporarily installed when it was designated a No Through Road, are to be replaced by carriageway half-gates, to improve sightline safety.”
The Chair also paid tribute to the many volunteers who support the Park.
He said: “The Visitor Centre has continued to be a source of information, education and advice to visitors in Bushy Park and for potential visitors to Home Park. Our exceptional volunteers have delivered almost 1600 hours duty at the venue.
“Meanwhile the volunteer walk leaders have led visitors in both Bushy and Home Parks with almost 137 hours of their time. Our volunteers are not a “free resource, they are priceless!”
If you are interested in joining the Friends as a member or making a donation which supports the work of the Friends and The Royal Parks please look here: Home – Friends of Bushy and Home Parks