Terrorist attacks, undiscovered unexploded bombs and a potential to poison the London water supply have all been listed as reasons against a proposed cycle path between New Malden and Raynes Park.
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The claims formed part of a report compiled by members of an environmental group against the second phase of Kingston’s £33m mini-Holland scheme.
London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has called their concerns “absurd”, but protesters have said they are victims of “brow beating” from the “bullying cycling brigade”.
The 15-page anti-mini-Holland document has now been circulated among officials at Kingston Council as well as rival supporters of the project, after it was leaked to the LCC, last week.
Retired medical professor David Allison – a member of the environmental group comprising New Malden and Raynes Park residents – wrote the report.
Its concerns include the destruction of rabbits, bats, grass snakes, hedgehogs and badger setts that all call the land home.
But it also brings up anxiety over security – both local and national.
Under the heading “security of major pipeline” the report states Thames Water’s pressurised water supply, contained in four major pipes running beneath the link, could be attacked by terrorists.
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It says: “Open public access to this area must increase the risk of damage to these pipes from a terrorist attack by disaffected groups or individuals.
“Even more ominously, the pipes would be more vulnerable to criminal interference with a view to chemical or biological pollution.”
The report also states since the area was a major target during the Second World War, it is “probable” that unexploded bombs lay underground.
Professor Allison, of Alric Avenue, New Malden, said: “It is ridiculous to call part of the report absurd in the world we are living in.
“We are now more than 1,000 people who have raised concerns about the track and the effect it will have on the environment.
“We live here and I suspect that many of the cycling campaign do not.”
The group held a meeting with Conservative Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond last month over the £1.9m proposed link.
He told the Surrey Comet: “I am not picking up on the terrorism point, but it would be perfectly possible to dictate where the pipe runs if the track was opened up.
“At the moment resident concerns have not been addressed.”
Fellow Kingston and Surbiton Conservative MP James Berry said the group brought up “valid concerns”, but added: “I would have thought the risk of terrorism in Kingston is highly unlikely, particularly on a cycle path.”
New Malden protest group members presented a 677-signature petition in July and have now collected a further 500-plus from Raynes Park.
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The Kingston branch of the LCC has set up a counter petition, in support of the link, which has 1,000 signatures.
Nicholas Davies, mini-Holland officer for Kingston’s LCC branch, said: “The objectors have put forward a number of arguments, some legitimate and some rather absurd.”
Raynes Park protester Olivia Cooper said: “Our main criticism is the total lack of any environmental thought and the cycle lobby try to browbeat the locals who are opposed to it.
“If something happens at this location it wouldn’t just flood New Malden, the whole of Raynes Park would be flooded too. This link gives anyone who wanted to do something there open access.”
Kingston Council said it was aware of both petitions and the terrorism concerns of the protest group.
Beverley ward councillor Terry Paton, mini-Holland lead, said: “People on both sides of the argument have been expressing their views with passion and vigour.
“Some of the arguments being put forward are a little far-fetched, but what is clear is that this issue matters.”
A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: “The vast majority of water pipes run under public spaces and footpaths so the one under the proposed cycle track is no different.
"Security is high at the sites where we treat the water and pump it into the wider pipe network but it would be impossible for supply pipes to not be under land accessed by the public."
The Metropolitan Police Service have not yet commented on the report.
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk 020 8722 6318 or email rachael.burford@london.newsquest.co.uk
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