Richmond Park - the campaign against through motor traffic goes on!

December 2001: The Royal Parks Agency has produced its report following the recent consultation process. We have published the full report on the MCC website because the RPA has not published it on its own site. Click here for the full report

The RPA has backed away from doing anything radical about the traffic nightmare in the park. Merton Cycling Campaign supports the Friends of Richmond Park constitution which requires that through motor-traffic should be stopped; cars and motorbikes should be allowed into the park only as far as the car park nearest to their gate of entry. Here is the letter that we sent to the RPA during the consultation process. For further information, see the Friends of Richmond Park Manifesto on Traffic in Richmond Park

Our campaign is supported by the Green members of the Greater London Authority, click here

If you want to help this campaign, please join the Friends of Richmond Park - only £3 membership - ask me for an application form

Below is an extract from the RPA report containing the key proposals:

"On careful consideration of the responses to the public consultation, The Royal Parks will introduce the following measures to reduce the impact of traffic in Richmond Park.

It has been decided not to go ahead with any of the more radical options - for instance those involving peak hour closures of the north/south routes through the Park as these would cause significant inconvenience to many people who live locally. Instead, work will take place with local Boroughs on measures outside the Park to reduce the amount of incoming traffic. The Royal Parks will be seeking support from the local authorities to this end.

The Royal Parks will start to implement the following measures which will remain open to discussion with local politicians, the Boroughs and Transport for London.

  1. Reduce the speed limit in Richmond Park to 20 mph
  2. Close Robin Hood Gate to motor traffic from March 2002
  3. Introduce a land train or similar service to link perimeter car parks with the central area of the Park
  4. Improve bus links both to and, as appropriate, through, the Park
  5. Close the Pen Ponds car park, subject to the provision of alternative transport for the less mobile and limited access for the disabled and elderly
  6. Carry out improvements to existing car parks
  7. Improve road crossings for pedestrians both at main gates and adjacent to car parks
  8. Continue liasing with neighbouring local authorities
  9. Investigate the possibility of road charging

It remains our policy to reduce the impact of motor traffic in the Royal Parks and in line with both the Government’s and the Mayor’s policies, to reduce the number of journeys by car. The Royal Parks will therefore continue to look at ways to reduce traffic in the light of changing circumstances and technology. If the volume of traffic using the Park continues to increase, or if it is shown to be damaging the nature conservation interest of the Park, further control measures will be considered.

The measures outlined above will serve to address issues over the short term. In the medium term (5-10 years) it is expected that work will be necessary to further improve public transport links. In the long term, and depending on future Government and regional policy, we would foresee further restrictions being placed on non-essential traffic within London and this would include the Park."