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New bid to discourage traffic in Richmond Park with parking charge proposal
A new bid to discourage car traffic in Richmond Park was launched today with proposals to introduce parking charges.
The move, from The Royal Parks, comes after it introduced trial restrictions on some through-traffic in the park but angered cyclists and walkers by reopening a busy “rat run” between Kingston and Richmond gates.
Previous Royal Parks research has found that only 12 per cent of motorists entering the park during weekday mornings had done so to visit the park.
Today’s announcement proposes a £1.40 per hour charge for parking in seven of Richmond Park’s car parks, rising to £2 per hour on Sundays.
The same charges are also proposed for Bushy Bark. The charges would apply between 9am and 6pm. Parking would be limited to six hours.
A final decision will be made after an eight-week consultation, which includes an online survey.
There are currently no charges to park in Richmond or Bushy parks.
The Royal Parks says introducing charges would bring the parks into line with the six other royal parks, better manage demand for parking spaces, discourage park users from driving and generate income to help maintain the car parks.
Richmond Cyclists said it welcomed charging as it reflected moves across London to promote “active travel”, but said councils would need to be wary of “fly parking” in surrounding residential streets.
Blue Badge parking and parking for motorcyclists would continue to be free, but subject to the six-hour limit. An eighth car park, at Isabella Plantation, would remain blue badge only.
The driving ban that started last month - for a six-month trial - involves the closure of access from Sheen Gate and from Robin Hood Gate to Broomfield Hill car park.
In addition, the road between Roehampton and Richmond gates is closed at the weekend to create a “quiet zone” on the north side of the park.
But the decision to reopen the route between Richmond and Kingston gates sparked a massive backlash from cyclists.
They said this was the busiest commuter “rat run” prior to the park being closed to vehicles at the start of lockdown, and said the Royal Parks had blundered in deciding to reopen the route.
In Bushy Park, Chestnut Avenue between Teddington and Hampton Court Gates has been closed full-time.
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