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Shepperton Studios invests £1million in Biodiversity enhancements of Studios Walk

A £300,000 MAINTENANCE GRANT ALLOCATED OVER NEXT 15 YEARS

Shepperton Studios today officially opened the River Ash Corridor, known as Studios Walk, on completion of the biodiversity enhancements they have carried out in partnership with Spelthorne Borough Council.  The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng, MP for Spelthorne, attended the unveiling alongside children and Headteacher from Littleton C of E Infant School and local Councillors. Attendees took part in a guided walk of the area led by Director of Landscape Architecture for the project, Andrew Joynt. The River Ash community and ecology enhancements included an investment of circa £1million into Studios Walk that runs along the Shepperton Studios boundary. Future maintenance will be undertaken by Spelthorne Borough Council funded by Shepperton Studios with a £300,000 grant to be allocated over the next 15 years to preserve the community and biodiversity value of Studios Walk for the future.

It was a pleasure to visit Studios Walk today, talk with members of the local community that I represent and experience the great enhancements that Shepperton Studios have undertaken to protect and evolve the flora and fauna of this beautiful natural area.

The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng

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MP for Spelthorne

115 River Ash VIP Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng Opening

The enhancement works aim to further improve amenity value for the public, whilst maximising the wildlife and biodiversity potential of the site. Pathways have been extended; benches added; and a new stepped pedestrian bridge, named Sherwood Bridge, installed to create a 1.75km looped walk. Bird and bat boxes have been installed and wildlife refuge areas, where access is restricted, allow native vegetation and wildlife sensitive to disturbance to thrive.

We are extremely pleased to have delivered the biodiversity enhancements of the River Ash corridor ahead of schedule. We hope the rejuvenation of this valuable resource will be enjoyed by our neighbours and the local community of Spelthorne for years to come.

Andrew M Smith OBE DL

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Corporate Affairs Director

The River Ash is a key ecological feature within Spelthorne District, flowing 10km from the River Colne to the River Thames. Numerous habitats can be found on site including: mature woodland; grassland; wetland; and open water. Studios Walk also forms part of the landscape associated with the historic Littleton House and Park, and has an interesting association with Shepperton Studios, most famously providing a backdrop for scenes in The African Queen (1951).

Studios Walk is valued by the local community as a place to walk and immerse themselves in the fantastic biodiversity of the woodland and River Ash. The project has opened up a new walking route that will allow residents to roam amongst the trees and enjoy views of the river from areas which were previously inaccessible. We hope residents enjoy sightings of kingfishers, stag beetles and all of the other wonderful wildlife that call the River Ash and its surroundings home.

Cllr Malcolm Beecher

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Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee

These works are part of a number of commitments that have been made to the local community in connection with the expansion of Shepperton Studios to the North and the South of the original site. Most recently, the Studios announced further investment in three local play areas and have a rolling Community Fund to support Charities and Organisations in the Borough of Spelthorne.