|
ISSUE:
Richmond Park - Agency Plans Withdrawn
Agency
must start again on Richmond Park traffic
plans
|
Do
you have a view on
the Richmond Park? Use
our pages to express yourself!
E-mail to
editor@
putneysw15.com or
contribute to our forum
This
site is an open platform
for all points of view
on local issues - we hope
to have an article on the
case for closure soon.
The
articles on this site are
contributed by local people.
If
you want to contact your
local councillor on this
issue and are not sure
how - click
here
|
Government
lawyers acting for the Royal Parks have
finally confirmed that the agency has
withdrawn its current plans to close Richmond
Park's Robin Hood Gate.
The
agency has admitted that because of its
failure to consult properly the closure
plans announced at the end of last year
were unlawful.
The
climbdown is a complete victory for the
council which had issued judicial review
proceedings in the High Court.
The
council's opposition to the closure is
backed by Roehampton residents who fear
that shutting off access to the gate will
force town-bound commuters to rat-run
through Alton Road as a means of avoiding
the queues at the junction of Roehampton
Lane with Roehampton Vale. This could
lead to an extra 700 vehicles an hour
in the morning peak period.
The
RPA will now launch a fresh consultation
exercise. Although this is expected to
begin on June 10 and conclude on August
30 the agency has yet to write to the
council setting out the details. Following
the council's insistence the agency will
be forced to consider the views of people
who prefer no change to the current arrangements.
The
agency will also consult on three other
issues - the possibility of introducing
road charging in the park, reducing the
speed limit to 20mph and closing Pen Ponds
car park for a trial 12 month period.
Transport
for London, which, despite having responsibility
for the A3 Roehampton Vale, had not previously
been consulted by the RPA, will now carry
out a traffic impact study in the area.
The
three local authorities concerned - Wandsworth,
Kingston and Richmond - will also be included
in the consultation.
Wandsworth
Council's cabinet member for regeneration
and transport Kathy Tracey said:
"It
really would have been better if the agency
had been prepared to look at other ways
of reducing the environmental impact of
traffic using the park. It
must be worth seeing just how the 20mph
limit works before resorting to drastic
measures like closures."
She
went on to claim that the agency's
admission that they bungled their first
attempt means that they must now start
the whole process from scratch.
"Last
time they simply ignored the heavy weight
of opposition to the closure. This time
must be different. Local people will expect
a thorough and genuine consultation."
Related
Links
High
Court forces RPA
to U turn
Council
launches judicial
review of Richmond Park gate closure
The
RPA puts gate closure on hold until
meeting with Council.
Comments
from the
Forum
Council
concerns for residents should Robin Hood
Gate be closed.
Change
to RPA status fuels concerns over future
access to Richmond Park.
Details
of the Proposals made by the Friends of
Richmond Park
More
arguements against closure of the gates
The
RPA response to the issue
Peter
Duffy argues against the plans for restricting
traffic in Richmond Park
|