Road Safety Improvements Near Hampton Court Palace Finally Progress
Plans to alter the road layout adjacent to Hampton Court Palace are advancing after experiencing significant delays. Richmond Council intends to enhance safety on dangerous sections of Hampton Court Road, including the Hampton Court Roundabout, which the authority identifies as one of the borough's most collision-prone junctions, with numerous incidents involving cyclists.
Funding and Temporary Measures
The council secured funding to develop a permanent scheme for Hampton Court Road after implementing temporary measures in 2020, which remain in effect. These temporary arrangements featured new cycle lane and bus stop configurations between the junctions with Chestnut Avenue and the roundabout, aimed at facilitating cyclist access during social distancing periods.
Redesign Following Public Backlash
However, the council was compelled to revise its original plans for the permanent scheme in November 2023 due to public opposition over a proposed shared cycle path. Consultation respondents expressed concerns that such a path could provoke conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians, prompting a redesign to address these safety issues.
Phased Implementation and Costs
The authority has since been crafting new designs for the scheme, which will be executed in phases as funding becomes available. Phase one is projected to cost up to £750,000 and will involve replacing the temporary floating bus stop near Hampton Court Green, alongside enhanced cycle facilities and pedestrian crossings from the roundabout to Chestnut Avenue.
Subsequent phases include removing zebra crossings on the roundabout exits in phase two to improve traffic flow and safety, installing a new signal-controlled crossing for pedestrians and horse riders outside stables on Hampton Court Road in phase three, with potential bus lane extensions and new coach bays, and implementing improved cycle lanes on Chestnut Avenue in phase four.
Consultation and Delays
The council's transport committee approved plans on March 16 to conduct an informal consultation with residents and businesses regarding phase one. Following this, officers will finalize the design and hold a formal consultation before proceeding to construction. Chris Smith, the council's assistant director of engineering, noted that project delays stemmed from factors such as clarifying funding arrangements with partners, emphasizing that the revised scheme aims to segregate pedestrians, cyclists, and bus passengers as much as possible.
Safety Concerns and Data
A previous council report highlighted that Hampton Court Roundabout recorded the highest number of collisions of any junction in the borough from January 1, 2018, to January 31, 2022. Many of these incidents were attributed to the proximity of existing pedestrian crossings to the roundabout's entry and exit points, leading to vehicles stopping abruptly and causing queues.
The council plans to hold an informal consultation on phase one later this year, quickly followed by a formal consultation, marking a critical step forward in this long-awaited road safety initiative.
