A new team from river custodians the Port of London Authority has begun work to reinforce a 5.5 mile stretch of the Thames.

Engineer Bernard Watson is leading the in-house team focussed on maintaining the southern river wall between Kew and Putney.

Until now, repair works have been contracted out on an ad-hoc basis. The upriver maintenance team will ensure all the PLA's assets along the stretch of the river's Surrey bank are kept in good order.

One of the new team's first tasks has been to fill in gaps in the riverside revetment by the towpath at the former Stag Brewery in Mortlake, recycling fallen stonework retrieved from the river, wherever possible.

Over the summer, Bernard worked with Richmond and Wandsworth councils to create a new base for the team at Barn Elms Sports Centre.

Derek Maynard, who leads the PLA's civil engineering team, said: "It makes sense for us to have a locally-based team with local knowledge doing this important work for us, as was the case in 1950s and 60s.

Cllr Julia Neden-Watts is chair of Richmond Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee.

She said: "Richmond upon Thames is famously the only London borough situated on both banks of the Thames and as such the river plays a huge part in our lives.

"It is very important to protect and maintain river walls in the borough and it is great to see a dedicated team set up by the PLA."

Tree roots and general wear and tear are the main causes of damage to the revetments.

Bernard said: "Sometimes it's a challenge to get at the revetments through the vegetation, but it's a job with the best views in the world."

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All the revetment repairs will respect Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation requirements, including measures to maintain the existing river line.

The team's remit does not include the towpath itself, which is managed by Richmond Council, as the highways authority.

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