We are working with Sustrans and Transport for London (TfL) to deliver the Richmond Park section of the proposed Quietway from Wandsworth Common to Teddington.
The route of the proposed Quietway runs along the route of the existing National Cycle Route 4 from Roehampton Gate, in the north east corner of the park, across the middle of the Park on Closed Road and Middle Path, to Ham Gate on the western boundary of the park.
The current route is popular with both commuter and leisure cyclists, as it is relatively flat and much of the route is on paths and roads with limited vehicular access. The section between White Lodge and Ham Cross also constitutes an important part of the training routes used by wheelchair athletes, including members of Team GB Paralympics squad.
We are committed to ensuring that park user safety is not compromised by the expected rise in cycle numbers using the route once the Quietway is operational. With this in mind, a number of interventions have been proposed along the route to ensure that pedestrians and other vulnerable park users are not adversely affected by the implementation of the proposed route.
For concept designs of the individual interventions and examples of the proposed signage, see:
We have now closed these proposals to comment. Thank you to all who contacted us with feedback about this project, your thoughts are appreciated and will be considered during the final design process. The next stages of this project include detailed design in preparation for tender with a construction date of early 2017.
Sheen Cross
We propose to improve the existing ‘at grade’ pedestrian and cyclist courtesy crossing at Sheen Cross roundabout by creating a raised table courtesy crossing with improved signage.
The proposed intervention follows the latest best practice design guidance in the London Cycle Design Standards (LCDS, 2014) and proposes the construction of 1:20 sinusoidal ramps up to a raised crossing that will allow pedestrians and vulnerable park users to cross the vehicular and cycle traffic on Sawyer’s Hill.
Effective lane widths on the ramps are proposed to be lower than 3.2m wide, created by colour and surface texture changes in the materials used in the construction of the ramps. LCDS guidance is that lane widths of 3.2m to 4.0m are to be avoided to eliminate risk of vehicles passing cyclists (or visa-versa), where there is an increased risk of collision. The design aim is to create a courtesy crossing to reduce speeds to make the crossing safer bearing in mind the constraints of the location.
Ham Cross
We propose to improve the existing ‘at grade’ pedestrian and cyclist courtesy crossing at Ham Cross junction by creating a raised table courtesy crossing with improved signage.
The proposed intervention follows the latest best practice design guidance in the London Cycle Design Standards (LCDS, 2014) and proposes the construction of 1:20 sinusoidal ramps up to a raised crossing that will allow pedestrians and vulnerable Park users to cross the vehicular and cycle traffic on Queen’s Road.
Effective lane widths on the ramps are proposed to be lower than 3.2m wide, created by colour and surface texture changes in the materials used in the construction of the ramps. LCDS guidance is that lane widths of 3.2m to 4.0m are to be avoided to eliminate risk of vehicles passing cyclists (or visa-versa), where there is an increased risk of collision. The design aim is to create a courtesy crossing to reduce speeds to make the crossing safer bearing in mind the constraints of the location.
We propose to re-align the non-bound surface path, currently used by pedestrians and cyclists, to follow the existing desire lines that have been created by users ‘cutting the corner’ to access Middle Path from the existing crossing. In order to accommodate the proposed path the existing gate position will have to be relocated approximately 2m to the west.
We propose to make all path users more aware of the potential conflict with the horseride users by altering the colour and the surface texture of the horseride crossing of Middle Path. 10mph speed limit surface markings will be re-painted to re-enforce the multiple interactions experienced at this junction where a number different park users interact.
Ham Gate
We propose to improve the existing ‘at grade’ pedestrian and cyclist courtesy crossing at Ham Gate (75m to the east of the Gate) by creating a raised table courtesy crossing with improved signage.
The proposed intervention follows the latest best practice design guidance in the London Cycle Design Standards (LCDS, 2014) and proposes the construction of 1:20 sinusoidal ramps up to a raised crossing that will allow pedestrians and vulnerable park users to cross the vehicular and cycle traffic on Ham Gate Avenue.
Effective lane widths on the ramps are proposed to be lower than 3.2m wide, created by colour and surface texture changes in the materials used in the construction of the ramps. LCDS guidance is that lane widths of 3.2m to 4.0m are to be avoided to eliminate risk of vehicles passing cyclists (or visa-versa), where there is an increased risk of collision. The design aim is to create a courtesy crossing to reduce speeds to make the crossing safer bearing in mind the constraints of the location.
Middle Path Pedestrian Zone
We propose to create a ‘Pedestrian Priority Zone’ on the central section of the route where Middle Path narrows to as little as 1.6m wide in some places. In line with TRP cycle route design policy all shared use paths are designed to have a cycle design speed of 8-12mph (the path has a 10mph vehicular speed limit marked along its length currently) and pedestrians have priority over other users even if the route is designated for other uses.
It is proposed that ‘threshold treatments’ are introduced at either end of the zone, one treatment at the Pen Ponds Car Park (east) and the other where the path narrows just to the east of the entrance to the Isabella Plantation Disability Car Park (west).
An additional intervention is proposed to make all path users more aware of the potential conflict with the horseride users by altering the colour and the surface texture of the horseride crossing of Middle Path.
Pedestrian Priority Zone - Pen Ponds Entrance
We proposed to build on the existing infrastructure of granite setts and timber frame information signs that mark the entrance to Middle Path as an area with a 10mph speed limit. New signage will be installed on the existing timbers (condition dependent) whilst colour and textural changes will be used on the surface of the path to re-enforce the concept of Pedestrian Priority in an area where the path narrows to as little as 1.6m in places.
Pedestrian Priority Zone - Horseride Crossing
We propose to make all path users more aware of the potential conflict with the horseride users by altering the colour and the surface texture of the horseride crossing of Middle Path. 10mph speed limit surface markings will be re-painted to re-enforce the message that speeds should be moderated to avoid conflict at this junction where a number different Park users interact.
Pedestrian Priority Zone - Isabella Plantation Disability Car Park Entrance
We proposed to build on the existing infrastructure of granite setts and timber frame information signs that mark the entrance to Middle Path as an area with a 10mph speed limit. New signage will be installed on the existing timbers (condition dependent) whilst colour and textural changes will be used on the surface of the path to re-enforce the concept of Pedestrian Priority in an area where the path narrows to as little as 1.6m in places.
Examples of proposed signage
Close up of proposed signage for the entrances to the 'Pedestrian Priority Zone' |
Proposed signage at Middle Path Pedestrian Priority Zone - Pen Ponds Entrance |
Closed Road - White Lodge Entrance (north):
Before |
After |
