STORM clouds were gathering over Twickenham this week as television weatherman Michael Fish launched a protest over plans for a new bus route, warning neighbours it could ruin the `idyllic backwater' where they live forever.

The BBC weatherman wrote to his neighbours, East Twickenham councillors and MP Vincent Cable last week after reading in the Liberal Democrat 'Comments' that Cambridge Park was being considered as part of a possible new bus route.

The London Bus route 493 would run from Tooting via Wimbledon, Roehampton, East Sheen and Richmond. Cambridge Park is being considered as a possible termination point.

'Comments' said locals had been campaigning for the bus route for some time and councillors were delighted that London Buses were finally taking action.

But Mr Fish was among several residents shocked by the announcement, saying there had been no consultation in the area.

In his letter Mr Fish, who has lived in Cambridge Park for over 20 years, warned that the new route could lead to noise, pollution, congestion and loss of property values.

He said he was particularly worried about the provision of a parking area for buses outside Cambridge Park Court.

He warned that this could mean altering the road for buses to turn in and removal of some of the trees.

This week Liberal Democrat councillor David Cornwell said he had been overwhelmed by the number of objections to the route, with many echoing Mr Fish's fears.

In a letter sent out to residents, he said: "The impact of a 15 minute bus service on this quiet and secluded residential area in terms of noise, pollution and congestion; the damage to the physical environment and the effects on the safety of children and the elderly as they use the streets at present were of great concern to those of you who responded and we fully support these views.

"We have taken swift action to inform London Buses of the strength of feeling against the Cambridge Park termination option and the reasons for it. It now looks extremely unlikely that the route will terminate in Cambridge Park."

He said that councillors had heard that London Buses were planning to terminate the route at a new bus stand opposite Cambridge Park Court and that this plan would involve removing a large section of footway to make the turn and some loss of parking for the bus stand.

A council spokesman said that plans for introducing the new service were still six months away and that London Buses would have to consult extensively if the Cambridge Park route ever did become a serious option.

She said: "At this stage, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames has not taken an official position on these plans. However, it is considered by council officers there are great difficulties foreseen, both with the route in Cambridge Park and the bus stand position.

"These difficulties included the residential character of the area, the narrow road widths and the car parking spaces which would need to be removed. London Buses have been made aware of the problems.

"Council officers have suggested other options to London Buses which it is understood they are now considering."

A London Buses spokesman said: "It seems to me that it's extremely early days at the moment, there's no firm proposal that's gone in.

"We are tendering for the new route 493. Tenders are currently being assessed on that.

"We have had local representations about putting a bus through.

"We've taken an initial look at the area but there are some physical restraints such as waiting restrictions et cetera.

"We are still looking at these options.

"If we do put a proposal through, we will be consulting residents along the lines of what we are currently doing with the R70 service."