Petersham Nurseries, Richmond Surrey UK

Our Proposals for Sustainable & Enjoyable Transport Solutions within the Borough of Richmond, Surrey

During the last two years we have been involved in a protracted process with Richmond Council's Planning department. One issue that we have disputed is the allegation that Petersham Nurseries generates too much traffic. As a small business and only one of the several enterprises and local amenities which are located off Petersham Road (A307) in Petersham, our efforts alone are not going to be able to reduce the amount of traffic generated by other enterprises or in any way significantly reduce the volume of traffic which flows along Petersham Road (A307) – one of the busiest roads within the borough and a major arterial road for greater London.

Throughout the last two years we have proposed and advocated a number of travel initiatives that we believe could encourage people to reduce car usage within the borough. We have and continue to urge Richmond Council and its elected representatives to consider these as it continues to develop its own travel and transportation policies and its own Travel Plan.

• Bicycle Network Paris operates the low priced Velib bicycle service for residents and tourists; Lyon operates Cyclocity and Bristol has recently introduced a similar scheme, becoming England’s ‘first cycling city’. There is no reason why Richmond can’t become the capital’s ‘first cycling borough’.

• Local Travel Network : local travel networks encourage local businesses and amenities (including schools) to work together to find and implement initiatives and incentives to the borough’s residents and businesses – they also help to reduce and share costs.

• Local commuter ferry/taxi service: although a limited ferry service operates for tourists travelling between Richmond, Ham and Hampton Court it is unsuitable for commuters and local residents trying to get around the borough. A small, hopper service between Kew, Richmond, Ham, Petersham, Twickenham and Teddington (avoiding the lock) could provide a viable alternative for local commuters and shoppers. As with any such development, obstacles exist but they are not insurmountable. Similar services operate in cities and towns throughout the world and in rivers which present similar difficulties. Advances in boat building have also enabled the production of small craft capable of sailing in shallow waters and ones that produce lower emissions. A link between Richmond and Petersham would also dissuade many visitors from driving to Richmond Park.

These are not examples of ‘blue sky’ thinking but very real and practical examples that have been implemented to great effect elsewhere. All that is required is the local political will to make them happen and public support to use the services once they become available.

Act Now
Richmond Council seeks to be the ‘most sustainable council in the UK’, it aims to encourage more of us to leave our cars behind and wants to attract an increasing number of tourists, particularly during the Olympics in 2012. Time is running out. If you’d like your local councillors to investigate and support genuinely sustainable – and enjoyable – alternative travel solutions, contact them today. Click here for contact details.

Traffic puts restaurant in jeopardy" ~ The Richmond and Twickenham Times, 15th August 2008. To read this article please click here.