Sir,-I read your leading article on the Kew Riverside luxury housing development gates with a sinking feeling. Here, in Cambridge Road, East Twickenham, we have heard it all before.

Some eight years ago, residents were assured that we had no need to worry about the vast luxury development going up on the old ice rink site we would be free to walk through between the blocks at any time to enjoy the public access to the river which we had always enjoyed.

However, the property company, when approached by prospective purchasers, were quick to point out that the whole area would be completely secure, surrounded by high fences and locked gates and new owners would certainly not have to be bothered by outsiders getting anywhere near.

And so it has proved to be. Cars and pedestrians at the gates have to speak to a remote security guard, who watches and records you on closed circuit TV.

It is then decided whether you are a desirable person to be allowed in to visit this gated community.

In other words, access to a very large piece of public land by the river is now to all intents and purposes denied.

Incidentally, over the years, the height of the proposed buildings grew an extra storey and is now way higher than anything else for miles around.

A square which had been laid out with grass and flowers in the early stages mysteriously vanished and was replaced by more flats. Residents of Kew beware!

-Julia Kirkpatrick, Cambridge Road, East Twickenham.