Following feedback from residents, a trial scheme that aims to reduce the amount of traffic in the Burtons Road area in Hampton Hill is being launched by Richmond Council.

Last year the Council consulted on a proposal to remove all through traffic from the Burtons Road area. This followed a series of residents' petitions and concerns about pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The initial consultation showed a split in views with many opponents proposing lighter-touch interventions. Listening to this feedback, the Council re-designed its proposals (including options for timed-restrictions) and sought the views of residents on this series of revised designs.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee for Richmond Council, said:

"Overwhelmingly the residential roads blighted with wholly inappropriate volumes of through-traffic were desperate for the Council to act. More widely, half of the residents in the consultation area wanted to see the Council take some action to restrict through-traffic.

"At the same time, the Government is also pressuring local authorities to introduce Low Traffic Neighbourhoods as an urgent means of encouraging walking and cycling; and to suppress unnecessary car use.

"That is why, we decided to trial innovative ANPR enforced, peak-hours restrictions that aim to reduce through-traffic, while still providing valued off-peak access for local residents."

In light of Covid and the country's emergence from lockdown, Government guidance requests that all local authorities implement urgent measures to suppress increased car usage, including the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

Having given consideration to all the feedback from the latest consultation, and the Government's call for urgent action to protect residents from adverse road safety and air quality impacts it was decided to progress a trial of timed-restrictions (Option 3) for a period of six months.

From 21 September, from 7am to 10am (Eastbound only) and 4-7pm (Westbound only) Monday to Friday there will be restricted movement for vehicles preventing through access along Burtons Road, Albert Road and Links View Road, with changes to the lane widths and current parking arrangements at the High Street/Park Road junction to help to mitigate some of the effects of displaced traffic.

In light of overwhelming support for two pedestrian crossing upgrades, it has also been agreed that the Council will undertake a feasibility study into the conversion of two traffic islands to zebra crossings on Park Road at the junctions of St James Avenue and St James Road

Signage will be installed over the next week but will not come into effect until 21st September.

Councillor Alexander Ehmann, added:

"As we emerge from lockdown, the Council couldn't ignore our public duty to do all we can to enhance road safety and suppress air pollution.

"We understand the anxieties of some about the proposals, which is why we have proposed the shortest practicable trial and why we stand ready to make adjustments if necessary throughout the six-month trial period. We will monitor the impact of these measures closely and are keen to hear how residents feel they have worked."