Trial traffic reduction measures in Richmond Park have been extended for a further 12 months.

The Royal Parks charity made the announcement today (Tuesday, March 9) and said nearly 18,000 people responded to its consultation on driving rules.

Of these, 71% of respondents supported making the measures in Richmond Park permanent.

What the trial rules involve

All through-traffic between the car parks at Broomfield Hill and Robin Hood is restricted and there is a full-time closure of the vehicle link between Sheen Gate and Sheen Cross.

Additionally, on weekends, the trial involves restricting all cut-through traffic between Roehampton, Sheen and Richmond Gates to create a "quiet zone" on the north side of the park.

'There is support for limited through traffic'

Royal Parks chief executive Andrew Scattergood said: "London's green spaces are vital refuges where people can come to escape from the busy city, and never has this been more apparent than over the past 12 months.

"These trials have proved that there is support from park visitors to limit cut-through traffic and create car-free spaces, where people can enjoy spending time in the natural environment to boost their health and happiness.

"We've had an enormous response to the consultation, and we want to thank everyone for their participation and for sharing their views.

"We'll continue to work with our neighbours to monitor these projects and their impact and continue to listen to the views of park visitors."

Consultation responses

Traffic reduction measures were trialled in five Royal Parks – Richmond, Bushy, Hyde, St James's and Greenwich – between August 2020 and February 2021.

They include closing sections of roads to cut-through traffic to create new park spaces for visitors to enjoy. This includes making The Mall in St James's Park car-free on weekends during daylight hours, and creating a car-free space on Chestnut Avenue in the centre of Bushy Park.

Royal Parks said they "indicated support and a desire to see less cut-through traffic in the parks".

The charity received a total of 17,850 online survey responses, carried out 447 face-to-face park visitor surveys and received 397 email submissions.

It said it will keep the measures to reduce cut-through traffic in place until March 2022 and will collect additional data to ensure a clear picture of the impact of the schemes, before determining whether they should be made permanent.

The trials follow the launch of The Royal Parks' Movement Strategy in July 2020 – a framework to help shape how park visitors can access, experience and move within the parks.