Proposed changes to parking restrictions between 49A and 63 Kew Road Consultation Summary February 2017 [Type text] Consultation Summary Background Between 5 September 2016 and 17 October 2016, we consulted on proposals to change the parking arrangements in front of 49A-63 Kew Road in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Currently, a single red line allows vehicles to park here any time except Monday – Saturday 7am-7pm. However, it has been observed that vehicles parked on the road in front of 49A-63 Kew Road can make it significantly more difficult for general traffic, including buses, to progress towards Richmond Circus. Access for right turning vehicles from Church Road onto the northbound Kew Road can also be impeded if this section of the road is being used for parking. The introduction of a ‘no parking at any time’ restriction would prevent any parking at all on the immediate approach to the roundabout. This would help to reduce the delays that the current parking area is contributing to. It would also help to regulate traffic flow towards the junction with Richmond Circus, bringing greater consistency to the area across both peak and off-peak periods. The full details of our consultation can still be found on our website: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/kew-road. At the start of the consultation period we wrote to all of the properties along this section of Kew Road. We carried out follow-up visits to several businesses to ensure that they were aware of the consultation. We also wrote to a database of stakeholder organisations and elected representatives, including transport bodies and local politicians. Results of the consultation We received 23 responses to the consultation and of these, 20 answered a question on whether they supported or opposed these proposals. All 20 answered by stating either that they supported the proposals or partially supported them. Seventeen respondents provided comments on the proposals. Of these, 11 people expressed support for the scheme, often on the basis that it would help to reduce congestion in the area. There were two suggestions that parking restrictions should be extended in this area, and another request for a similar scheme at Kew Gardens. Two respondents asked that more road space should be allocated to cycling lanes and facilities. It was suggested by one person that the traffic lights at the Church Road junction should be synchronised with those at Richmond Circus so that they helped to reduce the likelihood of congestion and cars blocking the yellow box junction. Another respondent asked that road signs be installed at the Church Road junction so it was clearer that vehicles could use both lanes on Kew Road rather than only the left lane. One respondent expressed concern that businesses on this section of Kew Road might rely on the existing loading arrangements. Another felt that the restriction would add to the pressure on other parking spaces in this area, and that local residents who pay for their parking privileges would be disadvantaged. It was suggested that the proposed parking restriction was unnecessary outside of peak traffic hours. One respondent was concerned that the proposals may lead to increased traffic speeds. Stakeholder responses We received two responses from stakeholder organisations: The Metropolitan Police Service explained that they had no objections to the proposals The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority explained that they had visited the site and were satisfied that the proposed changes would have no effect on the London Fire Brigade Next steps Having reviewed the responses to the consultation, we have decided to proceed with the changes described in our consultation material. We intend to create the necessary Traffic Regulation Order to enable the changes, which will involve advertising the intention to make the Order and inviting objections. Subject to the outcomes of that process and other factors, we intend to implement the changes in summer 2017. Response to issues raised Extend the parking restrictions in the area and provide a similar scheme at Kew Gardens: The proposed amendments are for the length of the Transport for London Red Route Return on the southern arm of Kew Road, off of Richmond Circus. The restrictions further along Kew Road come under the authority of the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, who would be responsible for any changes there. Kew Gardens is located on the northern arm of Kew Road, which is also controlled by LB Richmond. We have passed these comments on to the Borough. More road space should be allocated to cycle lanes and facilities: The alteration of the parking restrictions to ‘No Stopping At Any Time’ will prevent vehicles from parking in the nearside lane, which should help to create more space on the nearside lane for cyclists progressing towards Richmond Circus. Synchronise signals at Church Road junction with those at Richmond Circus to reduce likelihood of congestion and blocking of the yellow box junction: The two sets of traffic signals are already synchronised to provide the most efficient possible traffic flows. We regularly review the performance of signalised junctions on the TLRN and make whatever adjustments we think are desirable and achievable. Install road signs at Church Road junction to make it clearer that vehicles can use both lanes on Kew Road rather than only the left lane: A road sign of this type would need to be installed at the beginning of the lane markings on Kew Road, where it would likely obscure the existing roundabout direction sign on the approach to Richmond Circus. However, we will continue to monitor the location to ensure that with the implementation of the ‘At Any Time’ parking restrictions better lane discipline occurs and congestion is reduced. Businesses may rely on existing loading arrangements: When developing our proposals, we established that there are alternative loading arrangements close to the junction of Clarence Street with Kew Road. Our assessment is that the alternative loading space is sufficiently close to the businesses that would currently use the loading bay on Kew Road. This change will increase demand for other parking spaces in area: The change we intend to make to parking restrictions will remove at most four or five potential parking places, during off-peak periods only. We understand that any loss of parking spaces in an area can be problematic, but we are confident that the advantages that the change will bring about, especially for bus passengers, makes this a worthwhile course of action. Appendix A: The consultation notification letter and drawing of the scheme Consultation Team Transport for London 10th Floor, Zone G4, Palestra 197 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NJ [email protected] 5 September 2016 Dear Sir/Madam Proposed changes to parking restrictions between 49A and 63 Kew Road We are proposing to make changes to the parking arrangements on a section of the A307 Kew Road. The existing single red line restriction would be changed to a double red ‘any time’ restriction between 49A Kew Road - close to the junction with Clarence Street - and 63 Kew Road, where it would join up with the existing double red lines. The purpose of the proposed change is to relieve traffic congestion and improve bus journey time reliability on the approach to the Richmond Circus one way system. Currently, a single red line allows vehicles to park here any time except Monday – Saturday 7am-7pm. However, it has been observed that vehicles parked on the road in front of 49A-63 Kew Road can make it significantly more difficult for general traffic, including buses, to progress towards Richmond Circus. Access for right turning vehicles from Church Road onto the northbound Kew Road can also be impeded if this section of the road is being used for parking. The introduction of a ‘no parking at any time’ restriction would help to reduce the delays that the parking area is contributing to. It would also help to regulate traffic flow towards the junction with Richmond Circus, bringing greater consistency to the area across both peak and off-peak periods. Residents and business owners that currently park on the single red lines in front of 49A-63 Kew Road would need to use alternative parking places. For short term loading stops this is most likely to mean parking on Clarence Street, which can be accessed from Twickenham Road and Parkshot. A drawing of the proposed change is attached to this letter. How to comment on the proposals Website – For further information or to let us know your views please visit our website: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/kew-road Email – Send to [email protected] When responding by email, please add ‘Roads- Kew Road’ in the subject line. Letter – You can also write to us at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS. The consultation will close on 17 October 2016. Subject to the outcomes of this consultation, we would aim to make this change in spring 2017. Yours faithfully Matthew Hedges Consultation Team, Transport for London [Type text] Appendix B: List of key stakeholders London TravelWatch Elected representatives Zac Goldsmith MP Richmond Park and North Kingston Valerie Shawcross AM GLA Tony Arbour AM GLA Caroline Pidgeon AM GLA Andrew Boff AM GLA Tom Copley AM GLA Fiona Twycross AM GLA Shaun Bailey AM GLA Kemi Badenoch AM GLA Sian Berry AM GLA David Kurten AM GLA Caroline Russell AM GLA Peter Whittle AM GLA Councillor Peter Buckwell South Richmond ward Councillor Pamela Fleming South Richmond ward Councillor Thomas O’Malley South Richmond ward Other stakeholders Barnes Community Association Greater London Authority Strawberry Hill Neighbourhood Association Twickenham Park Residents' Association House of Commons Raynes Park & West Barnes Residents' Association Metropolitan Police London Borough of Richmond-Upon Thames RNIB London Cycling Campaign (Richmond) Richmond Safer Transport Team London TravelWatch London Borough of Richmond upon Thames London Ambulance Service Metropolitan Police Service Heatham Alliance community network [Type text] Disability Rights UK Manor Grove Residents Association.