Desborough Island

One of the two bridges across Desborough Cut to the Island

Open space on Desborough Island

Waterworks on Desborough Island

Desborough Island is a large artificially-created island in the River Thames on the reach above Sunbury Lock in Surrey, England. The island was formed in 1930s by the digging of a channel - the Desborough Cut - by the Thames Conservancy. Both island and cut are named after Lord Desborough who was at that time chairman of Thames Conservancy.

The 3/4 mile (1 km) cut took the river on a straight course between Weybridge and Walton on Thames creating the island between it and the meandering stretch past Shepperton and Lower Halliford which remains as a navigable route.^[1] The cut alleviated flooding in Shepperton^[2] and halved the distance of travel on that part of the river.

The island is almost uninhabited, being mainly open space, playing fields and water treatment facilities. The island has access over two bridges from Walton Lane in Walton-on-Thames. It covers 45 hectares (111 acres) of which 14 hectares (35 acres) is open space. It is a site of nature conservation importance and is looked after by Elmbridge’s commons management team. The island contains the Walton Water Treatment Works,^[3] owned by the North Surrey Water company. There are sporting facilities owned by University Vandals Rugby Club and Weybridge Rifle and Pistol Club, and other parts of the island are owned by the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough council. Pleasure boats operate from Walton, making a round trip round the island.

Efforts have been made to improve the environment of the island.^[4] Furthermore hedges have been relaid to improve the habitat.^[5]

See also

• Islands in the River Thames

References

1. ^ The Hundred of Spelthorne: Shepperton
2. ^ Shepperton Rotary Club
3. ^ "PMZ22, Desborough Island, Walton-on-Thames". Surrey County Council. http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspublications.nsf/591f7dda55aad72a80256c670041a50d/ae9eaaf45262f3c180256f0b004e413c/$FILE/PMZ22%20Desborough%20Island,%20Walton-on-Thames.pdf. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
4. ^ Elmbridge Borough Council news^{[dead link]}
5. ^ Habitat renovation^{[dead link]}

External links

• Portmore Park Residents' Association
• Weybridge Rifle and Pistol Club

Next island upstream	River Thames	Next island downstream
D'Oyly Carte Island	Desborough Island	Wheatley's Ait

Coordinates: 51°23′05″N 00°26′40″W / 51.38472°N 0.44444°W / 51.38472; -0.44444