BUY PENTON HOOK ISLAND FOR STAINES RESIDENTS

Penton Hook Island in Staines-upon-Thames is a popular and unspoilt nature site among Staines residents, much loved by walkers, families and picnickers, and the site of memorial benches for departed souls.

It is one of the few remaining unspoilt islands on the Staines-upon-Thames stretch of the River Thames that is open to the public.

It is currently the responsibility of the Environment Agency (“EA”) but tree disease, Ash dieback, has allegedly made the island dangerous for visitors, the island has been closed off by the EA, and the EA admits it does not have the money to remove the dangerous trees, make the island safe, and reopen it to the general public. (“…We are working closely with partners to explore funding options…”)

The EA is consulting now about what to do with the site. The risk is that it will be sold off to any property developer offering the highest price for the island.

We believe the island should remain an open, green, public space, free for all to access and enjoy what is a beautiful, quiet, restful space on the river.

We petition Spelthorne Borough Council and its successor, West Surrey Council, to negotiate the purchase of Penton Hook Island from the Environment Agency and to reopen it for public access.