Angry Londoners have slammed proposals to change the road layout next to Hampton Court Palace, which would see the removal of a dedicated path for cyclists. One cyclist said his school run would be "more dangerous" if the changes on Hampton Court Road, put forward by Richmond Council, go ahead.

The council is consulting on the proposed measures, which cover Hampton Court Road between the Palace roundabout and a point just east of Chestnut Avenue, until July 23. On the consultation page, the authority said the changes would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposals include scrapping the marked cycle lanes in the specified section of Hampton Court Road, the zebra crossing on the northern arm of the Palace roundabout and the floating bus stop and parking arrangement next to Hampton Court Green.

Several measures would then be introduced, including a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists next to the Palace between the roundabout and Chestnut Avenue, resurfacing of Hampton Court Road and a new signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists next to the Green and outside the Palace.

Off-peak drop-off points for coaches would be added opposite the Green, while the zebra crossing by Chestnut Avenue would be moved and there would be raised entry at the Chestnut Avenue junction to slow down vehicles travelling into and out of Bushy Park.

But Twitter users slammed the proposals, particularly over safety concerns. One user commented: "Clearly this proposal has been created by someone who has never cycled this area. Madness. I cycle my kids to school in this area and the changes would make our journey more dangerous by removal of current provisions. A great way to discourage active travel and encourage driving."

A second wrote: "Pedestrians and cyclists do not mix. Shared paths (as guidance already clearly states) should only be used in areas of low footfall. Do you consider a major historian tourist attraction to be low footfall? Pedestrians, as most vulnerable users, should be protected."

A third commenter added: "A shared path in this location is not a good idea, there are two many pedestrians and cyclists for it to be safe. The current arrangement with a dedicated cycle path is much better."

advertisement

Another person suggested the changes would leave "more space for motor vehicles at the expense of cycle and pedestrian safety".

It comes after the council changed the layout of the cycle lane and bus stop next to the Green in 2020, on a temporary basis, to improve access for cyclists during social distancing. The changes were always meant to be temporary, the authority said, ahead of a permanent scheme for a shared off-road cycle route linking the Palace roundabout to Chestnut Avenue.

The council has now won funding to develop the permanent arrangement, it said, depending on public consultation, detailed designs and securing legal agreement with Historic Royal Palaces.

Parking bays would also be rearranged to how they were before the introduction of the temporary scheme.

On the consultation page, the council said: "The measures are intended to provide a safe off-road route for cyclists of all abilities in this busy part of Hampton Court Road, to connect the National Cycle Network route running along the river with Bushy Park."

The council will consider feedback given during the consultation, before making a decision.