Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling on Richmond Council leader Lord True to support proposals for a new lido on Twickenham riverside.

Community group Twickenham Alive has mobilised public support since its plans for a swimming pool complex were rejected by the council last month.

In less than a week, more than 1,300 people have signed the petition, and campaigner Teresa Read believes Lord True would be unwise not to listen to them.

She said: “I think if they don’t talk about it, a lot of people in Twickenham would be very cross with them.

“If there is no consultation, I don’t think the Conservatives would ever recover from it and would not be forgiven.

“It is not a swimming pool, it is a whole concept which would rejuvenate Twickenham and would be something very special.”

Twickenham Alive put forward proposals for a lido on the riverside, next to the Diamond Jubilee Gardens, after architects were invited to submit bids for the development of the area.

But the plans were knocked back by the council and Lord True has previously said public consultations on the chosen scheme would begin later this year.

But Ms Read said people close to the council leader are pushing for Twickenham Alive’s proposal to be pursued.

She added: “Even members of Lord True’s own party are secretly giving support and we are getting information from council officers who are very keen on the idea.

“There are people very close to him who want it – there seem to be very few people making decisions about what is going to happen in Twickenham.”

The council completed its purchase of the site in King Street and Water Lane in October last year and invited architects to put forward bids to develop the riverside.

Bidders were given a brief, outlining the council’s vision for the site, including a town square in King Street, “niche” restaurants and shops, council offices and a proportion of residential development.

It is believed architect Quinlan Terry, who designed Richmond Riverside, has submitted a proposal, as well as one other unnamed architect.

Council cabinet member for business and environment Councillor Pamela Fleming said she does not believe there is demand for a new lido.

She said: “We had the Twickenham Area Action Plan in 2013 and no real interest was expressed in having a lido.

“It is difficult to understand when back in 2009 Teresa Read was campaigning to keep the riverside free and this lido won’t do that.”

She added the preferred architectural partner will be announced on Friday and consultation is likely to begin after the Rugby World Cup.

Leader of the opposition in Richmond, Councillor Gareth Roberts, said: “Clearly this is a proposal which has caught the public imagination and the Tories need to take note.

“Now I’m not going to say whether we should have a lido on the site, I made it quite clear in my recent letter to this paper that it isn’t the place of elected politicians to impose their vision for Twickenham Riverside on residents.

“However, I strongly believe that the lido should be an option within the broader consultation so that residents can have their say.”

Ms Read confirmed on Thursday that Twickenham Alive had been offered a meeting with Lord True, Cllr Fleming and two council officers to discuss the site.

To find out more about the proposals, visit twickenhamlido.com.

Why have so many signed the petition?

Hundreds have signed the petition since it was set up last week and many have left comments explaining why they feel so strongly.
Jenny Cornell, from Twickenham, said: “This will help to bring a bit of character back into the town.”
Jessie Ingham wrote: “I’m a lifelong resident and want to see a thriving community space in Twickenham.”
Twickenham resident Sue Scott-Gatty said: “I strongly believe bringing back swimming facilities to Twickenham would greatly enhance the wellbeing of the community as well as strengthen it.”
And Sarah Goddard. from Hampton Hill, wrote: 
“...because I have two children and always looking for new and different local days out.”