Jack W, Senior Public Affairs Manager
Dear Jack
Thanks for your conversation this afternoon and your hard work to find us some operational support or funding.
As a summary for the record I will cover the key points for Andrew.
- Goodwill Gesture, although there have been some similar instances of gardens flooding in the SW, rectification is generally considered rather than funding. Although the Chessington football pitch problem has been considered as completely unique, the wettest winter circumstances are considered to be the cause and the goodwill funding has been ruled out
- Green Fund, this fund terms and conditions are targeted at Network Rail’s own operational renewal and maintenance.
- Community Interest Fund Support David W SW London Regional Manager, this is still an avenue to pursue and Jack will introduce us to David who is a fountain of local knowledge and may take a special interest in our context , Jack will introduce us by email TBA
- Volunteering, NR employees are required to spend 5 days a year volunteering and it has been suggested that we may be offered access to flooding engineers who can advise on what improvements might be able available. I mentioned that we have had some advice from both council and Galliford Try a contractor to Thames Water working closely on the site next to Chessington FC on the new mains - both experts had suggested that the impervious clay ground is preventing drainage over many wet months of recurring rainfall makes improvements to drainage difficult. Other improvements such as a SuDS drainage system and mole for boring and top soil used by golf clubs are expensive options with maintenance requirements and without any guarantee.
- Tree Planting, the operations team responsible for land and boundaries adjacent to track have no plans to replant - photos of before and after are needed here to make a case AE to action if poss
- Sponsorship, no football club sponsorships known.
We look forward to follow up with David W and your intro email and I will encourage Andrew to come back on his actions above.
Many thanks for your time today and kind regards
Helen
Helen Edward | Parliamentary Candidate Kingston & Surbiton
3 Bridle Cl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2JW
FA Network Rail Press Office
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gbp-45bn-rail-improvement…
Dear Chris
In the context of Network Rail climate change strategy, I have a heartbreaking local case in Chessington south of Kingston Borough SW London which I would like to bring to your attention.
Chessington Football Club grounds lie at the bottom of a network rail embankment that was recently cleared of trees and foliage and the seemingly harmless clearing has resulted in a pitch drainage catastrophe that was previously robust being under water for months and football practice which parents pay for being cancelled for nearly the entire season. We are unlucky that we have had more rain than ever before and that we are on clay - the most absorbent and water retaining soil unfortunately - but the unforseen consequence of removing the trees is that water now runs off the embankment on to the pitch and remains there waterlogged destroying play and practice for 200 children for most of the season.
We have explored various drainage solutions but as you know clay is impossible to drain once waterlogged and meantime an entire generation and community of enthusiastic your players who live for football are kept at home disappointed not to be out with their mates enjoying a team sport that will keep them fit healthy and socially engaged. This is the real story which I want to convey to you.
We can either solve the drainage which it may well be too difficult to do. Our Chessington FC Coach and Leader believes that astroturf is the probably the only alternative, hugely expensive costing £00,000, and we will shortly look to address this solution.
Can I ask you to direct me to whoever would consider our plight caused by a network rail action to protect the railway, with unforeseen consequences and costs to our FC below the Network Rail embankment.
I look forward to your consideration and interest in the situation we face as a result of Network Rail environmental policy and operations. While we understand your priority to operate the rail network without risk to trees we would very much appreciate your appreciation of unintended consequences to adjacent environments including the dependence of local communities and leisure.
Many thanks
Helen Edward | Parliamentary Candidate Kingston & Surbiton
3 Bridle Cl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2JW
