New fund gives fresh hope to playing fields (From Wandsworth Guardian)

New fund gives campaigners fresh hope to save Wandsworth playing fields

7:10am Friday 13th May 2011 in News By James Trueman

The launch of a new fund to protect playing fields has raised the hopes of people campaigning to protect picturesque playing fields from the Thames Tunnel project.

The £10m pot, was announced yesterday, May 11, by Minister for Sport and Olympics, Hugh Robertson, and Sport England, with the aim of restoring and protecting the country's sports pitches for future generations.

And camaigners hope that the fund will help keep Barn Elms playing fields between Putney and Barnes safe from plans to use them to create a super sewer for the Thames Tunnel project.

Sian Baxter, chairperson for Stop the Shaft said: "The playing fields at Barn Elms are a vital sporting hub for London, home of the Olympics. They are used by 30 schools in 10 London boroughs, a multitude of sports clubs and importantly are available for any person to use"

"We’re thrilled that Hugh Robertson MP has championed the protection of playing fields. It’s an important boost for our campaign and I hope he will support our message for Thames Water to choose a brownfield site rather than destroying public sports fields.

"We have a duty to protect these valuable sports grounds and Protecting Playing Fields has made this a national priority."

If Thames Water decide to build on the playing fields, Barn Elms and the riverside could be affected by the tunnelling and building works for seven years.