A handful of changes are being considered to improve the borough’s public spaces after the pandemic.

These ideas will be presented to the Council’s Transport and Air Quality Committee on Monday, 17 May.

Proposals include traffic management, improved cycling facilities, high-quality cycling and walking routes, and improved accessibility.

A group comprising of local stakeholders, ward Councillors, Council officers and consultants have drafted the ideas, ahead of a public consultation in summer 2021.

Possible changes include:

1. Working with TfL to develop pedestrian and cycle options on the A316 – to make Richmond’s natural bypass more accessible.

2. A new multi-storey hub for over 700 bicycles at Richmond Station, in partnership with South Western Railway.

3. Improved route options through Richmond town centre for cyclists, including connectivity with a proposed new cycle hub at Richmond station.

4. Small schemes such as tree planting, improving seating, pavement quality, the provision of long term toilet facilities and removing disused phone kiosks and unnecessary bollards.

A shortlist of further project ideas include new pedestrian crossings, improved signage and way-finding, decluttering and improvement of street appearance.

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

“The way people use and move around Richmond town centre has shifted during the pandemic. Getting people safely back into our shops, pubs and restaurants and other venues is critical for economic recovery, but so is creating a sense of place that connects local people to the area and makes it somewhere visitors keep returning to. “

“A critical first step is to make sure the town centre is accessible, connected, walkable and cyclable, safe, attractive, clean and sustainable.”