Dukes Meadows - Emanuel Hollow Improvements
We embarked on an ambitious programme of improvement works at Dukes Meadows which restored and uplifted the area known at Emanuel Hollow, next to the new footbridge.
We were tasked with creating a space to welcome people into the borough, to address antisocial behaviour, and to improve connection through into other local amenities while preserving the natural character of the brownfield riverside site.
Improvement works included:
- Restoration of Promenade Approach and the Pump House area, in collaboration with Dukes Meadows Trust. (Complete)
- Repairs to the playground and surrounding areas (Complete)
- Safety improvements to Riverside Drive (Complete)
- Restoration and uplift works at Emanuel Hollow (Complete)
As of June 2026 this is all complete, with some planting days being planned for the autumn.
Recent Update:
June 2026
The site has been completely transformed to reflect the results of the consultation in 2024.
We have:
- installed new planting beds
- removed the restrictive fencing along the western side
- improved the pathing throughout.
Before and After shots of Emanuel Hollow showing the works.
If you’ve been walking in the area, you may have noticed the new sculpture we’ve installed. These girders were taken from Barnes Bridge and generously donated by GBR South Western to use on site. We’ve worked with fabricators to turn them into a piece of public art for all to enjoy, positioned in a planting bed which we hope will create a ‘cradle’ for new greenery as the site beds in over time.
For more than 100 years these girders have watched the rise and fall of the Thames as the world changed around them. They now sit in their new home, watching people come and go as they once did the tide. We hope that they continue to stand for many years to come, welcoming visitors to Dukes Meadows while acting as a bridge through time to the river and the heritage of this green space.
Photograph of the new girder sculpture at Emanuel Hollow.
We are collaborating with Abundance London and local volunteers to organise planting days later in the year, with the intention of re-greening the area while keeping it open and clear for visitors. They’re working with a local ecologist to develop a planting plan which we hope will add much-needed greenery while avoiding the previous cluster of dense, light-blocking self-seeded saplings. If you’re interested in getting involved, please check out their website: https://abundancelondon.com/
We want to take a moment to acknowledge all the hard work which has gone into preparing this new space.
We are grateful to Dukes Meadows Trust for their exceptional contributions during the consultation, engagement and design stages of this project. Their ongoing stewardship at Dukes Meadows remains invaluable for the continued success of the site.
Thank you to local architect Tibor Babic who designed the space and Lampton Greenspace for making the vision come to life.
The local sports clubs and boathouses who have been patient and helpful as the works have developed, particularly around road closures and other access issues during the construction period.
GBR South Western who donated the girders and helped with some early landscaping works to the site, flattening out the entrance by the river.
And then, of course, the most important contributors: everyone who responded to our consultations, attended a visit to the site, or wrote directly with their views. Your input has been central to creating the final design, and your passion for the area has inspired us throughout. Thank you all for your continued support.
If you have any questions or comments (now or in the future) please do get in touch with the Parks Team. Also be on the look out for a feedback survey within the next few months, once everyone has had a chance to visit and get used to the new space, so that we can check to ensure what we’ve delivered reflects what we set out to do.
Concept Sketch
Key Priorities from the Consultation:
Thank you all so much for your contributions to this plan and your patience as these works are delivered on site. We could not have reached this point without the support of local residents, councillors, and community groups. Consultation Report available here
- Safety as a Primary Concern
You said: The overwhelming majority of respondents identified safety as the most pressing issue. The site is currently perceived as unsafe due to poor visibility, lack of lighting and oversight.
We did: We have sought to open up the site by removing redundant fencing, low-level sightline obstructions, and low-value shrubbery which blocked light from entering the site. The new design, once implemented, will improve sightlines across the area, and improve the ‘feel’ of the site by way of placemaking interventions such as the new Barnes Bridge girder sculpture and improved biodiverse planting.
- Access and Usability
You said: Many users flagged limited accessibility both into and through the site, due to poor paving conditions, enclosed pedestrian routes, excessive puddling and mud accumulation in sunken areas.
We did: We have worked closely with landscape architects and engineers to model pedestrian routes, levels and drainage patterns across the site. The new design presents a long-term solution to drainage issues and puddling, while also incorporating a clear and safe pedestrian path to the rear of Emanuel Boathouse. The DDA-compliant route from the new footbridge is being preserved, while new graded gravel paths will allow access to the heart of the site, past the planting and towards your destination.
- Desire for Natural Character
You said: Respondents expressed a strong preference for the site to retain a natural, green character, rather than becoming overly formalised or urban in feel. Biodiversity, planting, and a sense of woodland were frequently mentioned as desirable qualities.
We did: We have preserved over half the site as an untouched natural area, and plan to install biodiverse planting in the main body of the site. We are also exploring adding a layer of light gravel over the mound to the north of the site, which will, in turn, promote wildflower growth and attract pollinators to the area.
Other key design features:
- Three metal girders were preserved from recent works on Barnes Bridge, and will be installed as an attractive sculptural element in the centre of the walking area, connecting the site to the Bridge as a key part of its history.
- Bollards are to be installed at the entrance to prevent ingress and fly tipping.
- Removal of low-quality shrubs has already significantly improved the diffusion of lighting across the site, and the removal of redundant infrastructure (old fences and noticeboards) has opened the sightlines up to improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles. These shrubs will be replaced with planting to improve biodiversity and encourage pollinators, per advice from our arboricultural team and a local ecologist.
- Road infrastructure improvements will continue to improve safety at the two major corners in this part of the site.
