The guardians of Richmond's history and heritage are opposing Council plans for a zebra crossing on the approach to Richmond Bridge as a 'white elephant'.

The Richmond Society has produced a series of objections to the scheme for the bridge, which was opened in 1777, making it the oldest surviving river crossing of the Thames.

News of the Society's criticism has shocked Liberal Democrat councillors, who support the crossing as part of a wider effort to put people and pedestrians before cars.

The Council is particularly keen to reduce through traffic in favour of promoting cycling, walking and public transport.

The zebra crossing would be on the Richmond side of the bridge between the Pitcher & Piano restaurant and the entrance to the path leading down to the towpath, close to Bill's restaurant.

It should make it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy road, however it may also slow vehicles and cyclists on what is a key route through Richmond.

The Council said the proposals are the result of its 'effort to assist local businesses and residents returning to using town centres after the COVID-19 pandemic's lockdowns'.

The Richmond Society said it favours improving the existing crossing for pedestrians at a nearby mini-roundabout, opposite the Odeon cinema at the junction with Hill Street. And it questions whether there is any evidence that pedestrians want or need a zebra crossing.

A written response to a consultation on the scheme states it is not apparent the proposals 'are demand led or will contribute significantly to enhancing pedestrian safety'.

The Society states: "The modelling to show there is demand for a zebra crossing at this location has not been provided, but our own polling of residents indicates that it is unlikely to be well used."

It argues there are alternative routes for pedestrians to use, such as walking under the bridge using the towpath.

As a result, it says: "We cannot discern who is expected to benefit from a zebra crossing at this location and therefore conclude that it is a white elephant."

The Society suggests the zebra crossing would be a ugly addition, not least because it will need flashing orange Belisha beacons.

It states: "If the crossing is as underused as we fear, then these beacons would represent unjustifiable new street furniture and create an unwelcome intrusion into the setting of important listed heritage assets."

The group also argues the crossing could make life difficult and dangerous for cyclists making their way up the gradient on the route into Richmond.

They state: "Cyclists coming across the river will have just started the climb to the roundabout and a full stop at the proposed crossing will cause them to lose momentum. This factor makes it more likely that some will choose not to stop for any pedestrians who happen to be using the crossing."

The Society said that a better option might be to put traffic lights at the junction opposite the Odeon – removing the mini-roundabout – and encouraging pedestrians to cross there.

It concludes: "For the reasons stated we suggest that the plan for a zebra crossing be withdrawn, or at least delayed pending either modelling of pedestrian demand and/or the introduction of controls to curtail through traffic and facilitate a light controlled crossing at the Hill Street

junction."

The Lib-Dem chair of the borough council's Transport and Air Quality Committee, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, was shocked by the Society's criticism.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "STAGGERED to read @richmondsociety response to proposal for a zebra crossing on Richmond side of Richmond Bridge. Richmond Society describe this key safe crossing amenity as a "white elephant" & call for it to be 'withdrawn'."

A consultation on the scheme concludes on Sunday – October 10 – and councillors are urging residents to make their views known via the council website here.