Teddington’s lifeboat crew rescued 14 people stranded by the River Thames’ high tide this week.

The crew were called into action to ferry people on Monday afternoon, as a mixture of snow and rain left water levels higher than usual.

A boat with three volunteer crew members was called to Richmond riverside just after 4pm, to help a Latvian pair who had been cut off by the tide and trapped near the White Cross pub.

They were taken to safety, but the crew were then asked to check on a homeless man reportedly living under Twickenham Bridge. He was found under the railway bridge but requested to be left alone.

The crew were then called to Eel Pie Island, as the bridge connecting it to Twickenham Embankment was left under water by the high tide.

The lifeboat team helped 12 people off the island.

Richard Hogg, helm of Teddington lifeboat crew, said: “You can never be too careful, there are many dangers to a high tide.

“The public must be aware of what the river is doing, otherwise it’s easy to become trapped.”

The high river level has prompted concerns about Richmond Council’s controversial plans to develop Twickenham riverside.

The authority wants to build a river centre on the site, along with housing, but the scheme was delayed until the 2008-09 accounts of developer Countryside Properties have been signed off.

It was suggested earlier this week the site for a new children’s playground – which is being moved as part of the development – was under water during the high tide, but a Richmond Council spokesman said it would be on a higher level.

He said: “All the necessary safety procedures would be put in place for the children’s playground. We have taken advice as to the best position for it, but you could never say it would never flood as it is a riverside development.

“The development still has to go through the process and any concerns raised will be addressed.”

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