I wrote to Network Rail yesterday to seek funding to help Chessington Football Club
FA Chris Denham Network Rail Press Office
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
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/gbp-45bn-rail-improvement-plan-puts-climate-change-firmly-in-its-sights
