The plan to cut through traffic in Richmond Park could prove unsustainable if it leads to poor air quality, more congestion on nearby roads and lower road safety.

That's according to Richmond Council which has asked Royal Parks, the charity which runs them, for detailed monitoring of the impacts of these six-month trials.

Royal Parks have launched their Movement Strategy aimed at reducing the volume of through-traffic in Richmond and Bushy parks.

As a result of the current Covid-19 crisis, both parks have been temporarily fully closed or partially closed to motor vehicles since the end of March.

Royal Parks said it will design its scheme and set out details as soon as possible.

It will aim to provide continued access to motorised vehicles to car parks, while limiting its use as a cut through.

Responding to the announcement, Richmond Council's chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said: "As lockdown continues to ease, car usage is predicted to increase beyond pre-Covid levels.

"Royal Parks strive to improve visitor experiences in their parks and actively manage these important Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

advertisement

"Therefore, as responsibility for managing traffic within Richmond and Bushy Park lies with Royal Parks, they have decided to use those powers to trial measures to reduce levels of motorised through-traffic using these Parks.

"Richmond Council is seeking immediate reassurances regarding the monitoring of traffic volumes and air quality impacts associated with these changes.

"When these trials launch, Richmond Council will be studying their effects closely to ensure that residents are not adversely impacted by any changes.

"If either of these trials result in poor air quality, a decline in road safety or additional congestion in nearby communities where our residents live and work, then they may need amendment or could even prove unsustainable.

"We encourage residents to share their views with the Royal Parks during the trial phase.