Green Up Gunnersbury gets off to a cracking start, via the Abundance London High Road grant
Earlier this week members of West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society joined with apprentices from Cultivate London to install two new planters on the empty forecourt area in front of Gunnersbury tube station.

WCGS has launched a campaign to encourage residents and businesses to take pride in the neighbourhood and become more actively involved in making the area a greener, healthier place to live. https://westchiswickgs.org/green-up-gunnersbury/

Cultivate London, a charity that helps young people into employment via horticulture, created the planters from recycled pallets and, together with an enthusiastic group of local residents, they planted up the raised beds with bee-friendly and attractive flowers. Residents and the neighbouring falafel stall-holders will water and care for the planters. Further improvements are planned for the area.

Residents and businesses wishing to improve their surroundings are encouraged to do so! If they want help or further information, they should get in touch with the society at chairman@westchiswickgs.org

In March last year the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government allocated a further £9.75 million for local authorities and community groups to clean up their high streets and town centres (building on a much larger Future High Streets Fund). Chiswick High Road’s share of this was £5,000, allocated via London Borough of Hounslow’s Business Services & Investment Department, and Abundance proposed several initiatives to improve the area.

• Contribution towards the street party Together on the Terrace, held last week on Turnham Green Terrace.
• Planters at Gunnersbury Station
• Tree pits along Devonshire Road
• Planting and tree replacement around Hogarth Statue

While it is clear that these small improvements can enhance civic pride, provide some points of bio-diversity and natural beauty, it is clear they are not going to solve the overarching problems of the High Road. Nevertheless, enhancing our street environment and making it a pleasant place to shop, sit and visit is a small contribution. Abundance is on track to deliver these improvements.