36 years after its implementation, Hampton Wick's special parking zone known as 'Zone X' is under review.

The area's Controlled Parking Zone, implemented by Richmond Council in 1987, reserves street parking for residential parking permit-holders from 8.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

However an ongoing consultation could see this extended to Sundays and Bank Holidays.

In a letter sent to residents, the council said that 'Zone X' has not kept up "in the 36 years since the scheme was introduced". 

The letter described how "shopping habits have changed and Sundays and Bank Holidays are now amongst the busiest shopping days in Kingston."

The council believes these shoppers and "people visiting Bushy Park who park in Hampton Wick to avoid parking charges and/or for convenience" are why local residents' have increasingly struggled to find parking close to home.

Parking regulations in Zone X, highlighted in green, have remained unchanged for 36 years (Photo: Richmond Council/Ordnance Survey)

The review currently offers two alternatives to residents that promise to improve parking availability:

1. Extend to 8.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Sunday & Bank Holidays.
2. Extend to 10am to 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday & Bank Holidays.

However the former, stricter option would push residents' annual permit charge to £130.20 – an increase of £31.60, 32% higher than the current rate of £98.60. 

Daily resident visitor permits would remain £3, or £1.50 for over 60s.

The consultation closes Sunday 17 March, giving residents the rest of the week (11 March) to submit any comments to the council via the consultation's web page available here.