Residents have been invited to comment on plans to reduce cut-through traffic in Richmond and Bushy Parks.

Today (November 16), the Royal Parks launched their consultation on the trials, which began on August 15.

The consultation will now run for the next eight weeks, until January 10, with the trial continuing until February.

In Richmond, the measures restrict all cut-through motor traffic between Broomfield Hill Car Park and Robin Hood Car Park on weekdays. This also includes a full-time closure of the motor vehicle link between Sheen Gate and Sheen Cross.

On weekends, the trial restricts all cut-through motor traffic between Roehampton, Sheen and Richmond Gates to create a quiet zone on the north side of the park.

In nearby Bushy Park, there is a full-time closure of part of Chestnut Avenue between Teddington and Hampton Court Gates to motor vehicle traffic.

The Royal Parks is also implementing similar schemes in Greenwich Park, Hyde Park and St James's Park and The Green Park.

But some groups such as the London Cycling Campaign do not think these measures go far enough and want to see the parks completely closed to through traffic.

London Cycling Campaign marketing officer Calum Rogers said: "Parks should be for people, not traffic.

"Obviously there are car parks in the Royal Parks which are for legitimate park users, but we need to end the use of the park roads as short cuts."

As we have reported, Richmond Park has proved to be a popular destination for people to visit in this November lockdown.

Under the trials, drivers can park in car parks as usual although access routes to certain car parks are restricted.

A spokesperson for the Royal Parks said: "We would like to make sure everyone, including residents, visitors and our partners, has a chance to share their views on these important trials and we urge everyone to take part in the consultation, between now and January."

The charity says the trials will also be measured and monitored by collating park stakeholder feedback, facilitating park visitor satisfaction surveys (if possible with COVID restrictions) and undertaking an evaluation of the external implications of the trials in partnership with relevant transport authorities such as Transport for London and the local boroughs.

Visit their website to share your views with the consultation.

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