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Date 
9 November, 2006 
Author 
Nick Morris 
Meeting with Royal Parks Agency 7 Nov 
As reported at the 8 Nov MOG meeting, I met with Jo Brigham, Director of Strategy 
and Marketing, Royal Parks at her request to discuss vehicular access through the 
Parks, particularly Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich. 
The roads within the Royal Parks are the responsibility of the Agency, who 
maintain them but now face a problem in that the roads were designed as park 
roads but now carry significantly greater volumes of traffic in transit or using the 
parks as a relief route.  It is estimated that 96 – 98% of traffic is through traffic with 
between 2,500 and 3,800 vehicles entering Richmond Park during peak hours. 
A recent cycling fatality in Richmond Park highlighted the dangers and risks to 
joggers, cyclists and walkers.  Royal Parks accept that there is a variety of views 
on traffic but there would be direct and indirect benefits to environment and 
ambience if some traffic could be displaced.  Local Authorities may hold road use 
data relating to the closure of Richmond Park during the Foot and Mouth outbreak 
and these figures may help to inform likely impact of traffic displacement. 
The Agency is seeking to reduce traffic, not simply displace onto surrounding roads 
and is therefore considering a tolling system.  This would replace car parking 
charges and be more cost effective.  Support from TfL and boroughs would be 
welcomed in developing initiatives to reduce traffic, such as managing alternative 
solutions, examining opportunities for access by public transport, incentivising 
green transport and shared use of motor vehicles.  The Agency would be 
interested in comparative emission data for buses and cars to encourage use of 
public transport but appreciate the need to consider origin/destination information. 
Turning to the Central London parks, there is interest in joint publicity campaigns to 
draw attention to the value of the parks as walking routes and there is an 
opportunity to review cycle routes.  
Issues for TfL Consideration: 
- 
Feasibility and impact of a tolling system. 
- 
Opportunities for public transport access to parks or entrances. 
- 
Opportunities for promotion of walking and review of cycling provision. 
- 
Impact of displacement and strategy to manage. 
 
Nick Morris 
DRNP 
R:\DPA and FoIA\FOI\Responses\FOI PHVs & Royal Parks\Streets & Royal Parks Meeting 071106.doc 

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