Pleas to ban cars from Richmond Park completely or measures – such as speed bumps - to control groups of high speed cyclists have been rejected.

Instead the Royal Parks have today – Tuesday - announced that a series of more limited trial schemes that are designed to restrict vehicle access will become permanent.

The measures are:

* A permanent closure of the vehicle link between Sheen Gate and Sheen Cross

* Restrictions on all cut-through traffic between Roehampton and Richmond Gates on weekends and public holidays.

* A ban on through traffic between Broomfield Hill Car Park and Robin Hood Car Park.

Separately, the Royal Parks have also announced changes for Bushy Park. Specifically, Chestnut Avenue will remain permanently closed to vehicle traffic between Teddington and Hampton Court Gates.

These closures were first imposed on a temporary basis some two years ago and contractors for the Royal Parks have been analysing the impact.

Separately, a major consultation exercise was carried out with thousands of people responding and many arguing for much greater controls on both cars and bicycles, particularly in Richmond Park.

The consultation found support for further measures discouraging vehicles.

It reported: "The most common theme which emerged from respondents' comments was their support for further measures discouraging motor vehicles in the park, accounting for nearly half of all comments.

"Of these responses, approximately half noted they would like to remove through traffic completely from the park with many highlighting that cars should only be allowed to the car park closest to the gate in which they entered.

"Of those who support total removal of through traffic, some specified that they would like to see through traffic from Kingston Gate and Richmond gate restricted.

"There was also some support for car park charges being instated to further discourage vehicles accessing the park.

"Many responses referenced the total closure of the park to vehicles that occurred in response to government Covid-19 restrictions early in 2020 and would like to see the park return to a similar state."

The consultation also highlighted what it described as the 'dangerous interaction between cyclists and other park users'.

Under this heading, it said: "A majority of these comments emphasize that speeding cyclists - specifically sport cyclists - create an unsafe environment within the park, especially for pedestrians.

"There was also a high number of comments suggesting that there should be restrictions in place for cyclists.

"This included speed bump installation, timed cycling restrictions and cycle lane creation."

All of these more radical proposals have been rejected in the final decision made by the park authorities.

The announcement drew a mixed response, with some arguing they did not go far enough.

The Richmond Park Cyclists croup welcomed the fact that existing controls will be made permanent, which has reduced the level of traffic. But it signalled it will continue to campaign for a full ban on through traffic.

It said: "This is a big step forward for cycling. Now onwards to removing all through traffic!"

The HammersmithBridge.org.uk said: "It's a shame you haven't closed Richmond Park to all through traffic. There is absolutely no need for the Park to be used as a shortcut by motorists."

The Director of Parks, Tom Jarvis, said: "As custodians of some of London's finest green spaces, we're delighted to announce that the successful trials to reduce cut-through traffic in our outer parks will be made permanent.

"The decision is a key part of ensuring The Royal Parks is delivering on its charitable objects.

"We'd like to thank all those who have been involved in the project since it was launched in July 2020, particularly those who responded to our public consultations.

"We're looking forward to engaging with our stakeholders and the local communities to see how we may repurpose the spaces available, now that certain roads are closed permanently to vehicles."