A leading conservation charity has made a "huge" intervention in the debate about traffic in Richmond Park.

Yesterday (Monday, November 16) saw the start of a consultation that may go some way to setting the future rules of driving in Richmond Park.

The public consultation on the Royal Parks' Movement Strategy asks residents what they think about the trial it is running to "significantly" limit through traffic.

"We have designed and implemented a trial scheme in Richmond Park that restricts all through-traffic between Broomfield Hill Car Park and Robin Hood Car Park and closes the vehicle link between Sheen Gate and Sheen Cross. Additionally, on weekends and public holidays we have restricted all cut-through traffic between Roehampton, Sheen and Richmond Gates," the Royal Parks charity said.

Currently, motorists are free to enter at one gate, drive through and exit the park via another gate. As we reported, residents group the Richmond Society said an entry free "levied on all vehicles would be a better way of reducing traffic and achieving the benefits of less congestion and better air quality".

Conservation charity the Friends of Richmond Park has gone one step further.

Related coverage:

Charge drivers to enter Richmond Park rather than for parking, group says

In a newsletter for its members, the Friends said its objectives are to "conserve and protect the peace and tranquility of the park and to 'limit the adverse effects of activities that damage its attributes', so we have always been in favour of reducing through traffic.

"Visitor research shows that the top reason for visting the park is its peace and tranqulity and lockdown showed how tranquil the park can be without traffic. Many locals and especially visitors would like it to continue like that.

"And in the long-term through traffic is surely incompatible with a National Nature Reserve; the park should not be a relief valve for the roads outside it."

Richmong Cycling, the local branch of the London Cycling Campaign, said their comments were "huge".

"We really hope it's an opportunity to ask for a park with zero through traffic," Richmond Cycling said.

"It's a big ask, but it fits with their charitable aims, and is also supported by Friends of Richmond Park."

You can have your say on the Movement Strategy here.

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