The Royal Parks have put cyclists on notice that if they breach the speed limit for cars in Richmond Park they risk prosecution and a fine.

Details have emerged in the wake of a decision to install a number of new 'traffic calming' measures in the park.

These include so-called courtesy crossings for pedestrians and a new contraflow at the bottom of Sawyers Hill, near to Beverley Brook, close to Roehampton Gate.

The measures are designed to make the roads safer for pedestrians, including dog walkers, against the background of worries about aggressive drivers and cyclists.

However, critics of the new measures say the rules around how these crossing work and who has priority is causing confusion and risks creating accident black spots.

The Royal Parks has promised a safety review of the measures following complaints from cycling groups and an accident last week where a cyclist went over his handlebars.

Last week a cyclist went over the handlebars after he braked to avoid a car which suddenly stopped because the driver was unsure who had priority on the contraflow on Sawyers Hill.

There has long been controversy and dispute over the behaviour of cyclists and whether the speed limits that apply to cars, which range from 5mph to 20mph in Richmond Park, apply to those on two wheels.

This appeared to be settled two years ago when the Royal Parks issued a statement saying there is no speed limit for cyclists in the Royal Parks, which mirrors the situation on normal public roads.

Cyclists claim new 'traffic calming' measures are putting them at risk (Credit @Bigdai100)

However, the Royal Parks have re-opened the can of worms and are now – apparently for the first time – arguing that any cyclist going above the official speed limit for cars is 'not safe', making them guilty of breaking Park Regulations and therefore open to a prosecution by the police.

Talking about the accident last week, a Royal Parks spokesperson said: "We are very sorry to hear that a cyclist was injured when he braked ahead of a courtesy crossing point, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

"Safety is our priority, and the courtesy crossing point was installed to improve pedestrian safety so that people, especially children using the nearby sports pitches, could cross the Beverly Brook Bridge safely, and no longer need to walk in the road to do so."

While the design of the new crossings was based on advice from experts, the Royal Parks has promised to review how they are working.

On the issue of speed limits, a spokesperson added: "We welcome all considerate road users, however pedestrians have priority as they make up the majority of park visitors.

"Therefore, a 20mph speed limit is in place for all road users to maintain a safe environment for pedestrians of all ages, and to protect road users, as well as wildlife - particularly as wild deer may behave unpredictably and run across park roads.

"On park roads, the Highway Code applies and is enforced under the Highways Act."

Asked for further clarification, the Royal Parks said while there is no speed limit for bicycles on the roads, any cyclist going above the 20mph limit for motor vehicles would be breaking Park Regulations. The organisation pointed out that Park Regulations are legal requirements enforceable by the police - a breach could bring a fine of £200 in the magistrates court.

The organisations said: "Park regulations state that visitors must not:

"Intentionally or recklessly interfere with the safety, comfort or convenience of any person using a Park in accordance with these Regulations;

"See regulation 3.1: The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 (legislation.gov.uk)

"Cycling that is considerate does not interfere with parks visitors' comfort, safety or convenience – i.e. cycling that is in line with the travelling speed of other road users, and is not faster than other road traffic, is deemed safe."

Significantly, the organisation said: "Anything above the speed of road traffic for a particular park road (between 5-20mph depending on the road in question) is not safe, therefore is breaking park regulations which are a legal requirement, enforceable by the police."

The net effect is that the dozens of cyclists who circle the park's roads every day – particularly weekends - at more than 20mph are at risk of being pulled over by the police, prosecuted and fined.

The situation raises the prospect of Royal Parks Police setting up speed cameras to catch out speeding cylists.