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John Ridley, Chairman, The Crossness Engines Trust
K.A.S. members may recall the problems that the Crossness Engines Trust had with Thames Water Utilities plc. some 2 years ago when the Trust was locked out of the Beam Engine House. We are pleased to report that discussions with TWU proved fruitful and the Trust now has a 2-year agreement under which it is required to complete an agreed programme of work. On satisfactory completion of that work within the 2-year time scale, TWU are committed to grant the Trust a 60-year lease.
Access to the Beam Engine House was obtained in November last year and much of the time since has been spent in clearing up to enable the work to start and in making arrangements to meet the safety standards demanded by TWU. Inevitably restoration progress has been slow so far but is now beginning to accelerate, and we are confident that we can complete the programme of work within the 2-year period. As we identify and schedule jobs to be done we shall be looking for volunteers to join the growing work teams.
Much of the success of the discussions with TWU was due to the pressure put on them by K.A.S. members writing in to protest against TWU actions. Crossness Engines Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank your members for the support they gave and to express the hope that, in the not-too-distant future, we shall be able to welcome them on a visit to the Engine House. Details of Open Days will be circulated in due course.
