Over-tall fence

I took the opportunity to photograph this fence in Broughton Avenue while I could because I presume that the Richmond Planning Enforcement Team will soon act to reduce the size of it (and rightly so).

Time Capsule

A time capsule has been revealed by the recent clearance work in Church Road alongside Richmond Chase.

There is another time capsule on the other side of the wall within the Richmond Chase development.

A new path in Church Road

Walking along Church Road by the junction with Latchmere Lane has always been awkward becuase the path along Church Road, such as it is, ends at Richmond Chase / Latchmere House Prison. This is also the most dangerous section because of the junction and the bend in Church Road. A path was always needed here and now there is one.

I am not sure that this was deliberately created as part of the recent clearance work there though I suspect that the clearance allowed the path to be created quickly through use, just as the path alongside Ham Gate Avenue was when the vegetation was all cut back away from the road.

Clearance

The little patch of Ham Common Woods trapped between Church Road, Latchmere Lane and Richmond Chase (Latchmere House Prison) has always looked a a bit scruffy and felt a bit neglected and so it was both surprising and pleasing to see clearance work being done there, as evidenced by these large piles of wood chippings.

Some planting

This raised bed in the north-south leg of Ashburnham Road had been empty for a few months with a sign announcing that new planting was coming and that planting has now started. 

I could only read one of the signs, as I did not want to trample the ground, and that said "acer" so I am happy.

Dead trees gone

A few weeks ago I wondered about some dead trees in the green corner where Parkleys meets Ham Farm Road and that problem has been resolved by removing them, and the healthy ones, to make way for a new rear fence to a house in Ham Farm Road. 

The fence is rather lovely but I hope that the trees are replaced and that the corner becomes green again.

New frontage

Something quite substantial is happening to this house in Broughton Avenue with a new structure across the front. Clearly the appearance of the house is going to change a lot so the question will be how well it fits in with its adjoined neighbours.

Water works

The works I mentioned a few days ago at the junction of Ham Gate Avenue and Petersham Road continue all the way up to and in to Church Road and there are several open sections that give more of a clue as to the nature of the work.

I've called this post "water works" on the assumption that this is a pipe rather than a cable, though there is a Danger Electricity sign in the centre of the access cover. Whatever it is, it looks industrial and that is good enough for me.

Blue wall

It is impossible not to notice this blue end-wall when walking along Broughton Avenue from Simpson Road to Lock Road. It is a little daring and I like it for that.

New section of wall

The rear wall to Beaufort House, which faces on to Wiggins Lane, has featured here a couple of times before which is fitting for a wall of this stature and prominence. It gets mentioned this time because a section of it has been replaced.

Asymmetric garage

The new garage on the junction of Northweald Lane and Biggin Hill Close looks all but complete now that the door has been added and the approach has been paved. It also looks a little wonky.

I have spent more time than is healthy counting bricks to try and understand the wonkiness better and while the door looks to be placed in the centre the RSJ above it is not and the roof extends further on the left than on the right.

Black fence

This seems to be the season for fences and none of the other changes are as dramatic as this one on the corner of Ham Common and Lock Road that has gone from a safe brown to a striking black. The contrast with the white wall makes it even more dramatic and interesting.

Concrete slab

My plan not to take too many photographs of the redevelopment of Ham Close hit an early problem and I had to take this picture of the concrete slab at the Woodville Road end of the site.

Ham Gate Avenue works

Some work is going on in Ham Gate Avenue next to the junction with Petersham Road and while there is not much activity there is evidence in the form of disturbed ground and barriers.

Winter wreath

On my most recent visit to Ham House there was nothing new or different in the gardens that I found worth taking a photograph of so I was pleased to discover this winter wreath on the rear gates as I made my way home.

Avenue Lodge fence

The east boundary of Great South Avenue is being changed dramatically by both the new metal fence around Bull Meadow at the north end and the repair of the long wooden fence at Avenue Lodge at the south end.

A new fence

And this is what all the work at Bull Meadow is for, a neat and functional fence.

The usual Nimbys made a fuss when the planning application for this new fence was submitted but, as is usually the case, they have been proved wrong and the new fence is a marked improvement on the old one.

Preparing for a new fence

There is a lot of activity along the edges of Bull Meadow as a new fence is installed. This view is looking parallel to Great South Avenue where the old fence has been removed and space has been made for the new one.

Bird box

Bird boxes are a good idea and even more so when they are as cute as this one. I am sure that the decorations mean nothing to the birds that I hope are using it but they brighten up a walk along Sudbrook Lane.

Raft

There is clearly a story behind this raft moored by Teddington Lock which looks as though it was constructed on Scrapheap Challenge to do something like transport a horse across the river.

Green and red

I took this photograph not particularly to mark the progress on the new roof, it was more because I liked the contrasting colours of the green fabric and the red battens.

New roofs and solar panels

A lot of work is being done to the roofs of several properties in Meadlands Drive, including these three in the little square opposite Buckingham Road. These three have all got new tiles and also solar panels (though not the house in the corner).

I could not tell from the current state of the work whether all the houses were getting solar panels but as most of Meadlands Drive faces north any panels will be hidden at the backs of the houses.

Protecting badgers

The fence around Bull Meadow (the playing fields for Grey Court) is being replaced, and it needs to be, but first some work is being done to protect the badgers in the area; as explained on the information board.

Christmas pole

When I posted a picture of this post earlier in the year it was delightfully decorated with My Little Ponies and Batmen, and now it has adopted a seasonal look with twigs from a fir tree stuffed with model deer.