The Transport and Air Quality Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council met on Tuesday 27 February 2024, approving revised fees and charges for the upcoming financial year, including changes to parking tariffs, and noting a projected underspend of £658,000 on the revenue budget for 2023/24. The committee also agreed to implement traffic calming measures on North Worple Way, make the Thomson House School Street permanent, and award a new parking enforcement contract.

Directorate Budget Report 2024/25 incl Fees and Charges

The committee approved revisions to fees and charges, set to take effect from 1 April 2024, with parking charges implemented from 1 July 2024. The proposed budget for 2024/25 was noted, with a projected revenue budget underspend of £658,000 for the current financial year.

Significant changes to parking charges were introduced, including a baseline increase of approximately 10% for most parking fees, with higher percentage increases proposed for on-street charges in Hampton Wick and Twickenham town centre. Charges for households with multiple parking permits will increase by 100% for a second permit and 200% for third and subsequent permits. The 30-minute free parking session will be retained, and discounts for residents based on CO2 emissions will continue, though other resident discounts will be removed. CCTV search and evidence release charges will also see a substantial increase to better reflect the work involved and align with other London boroughs.

Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, expressed reservations about retaining the 30 minutes of free parking, suggesting the funds could be better allocated to expanding the Good Move scheme. However, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the committee, stated that the administration aimed to strike a balance and that the proposed budget changes were bold in nature.

North Worple Way Traffic Study

The committee authorised officers to introduce experimental no motor vehicle restrictions on North Worple Way (NWW) between 7 am and 7 pm, seven days a week, except for permit holders, for westbound traffic near its junction with Avondale Road. This decision follows a public consultation which indicated strong support for such measures to discourage through traffic from using the residential area. The restrictions will be implemented on an experimental basis under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, allowing for amendments based on resident feedback and outcomes. No restrictions will be introduced at the junction of NWW and White Hart Lane at this time due to a lack of majority support in the consultation.

The decision aims to address concerns raised by residents regarding pedestrian safety, traffic volumes, and vehicle conflict, exacerbated by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and increased reliance on satnav systems directing traffic through unsuitable residential roads. The experimental scheme will be monitored, with traffic surveys conducted before and after implementation to assess its effectiveness and inform any necessary adjustments.

Parking Enforcement Services

The committee approved the award of a five-year contract, with an optional two-year extension, for parking enforcement services to Bidder C. This contract will be jointly managed with the London Borough of Wandsworth, aiming for efficiencies and a seamless transition from the current providers. Bidder C was selected based on scoring highest in price, quality, and social value, and is an established provider in the sector. The contract will ensure that Civil Enforcement Officers adhere to the individual parking policies of both Richmond and Wandsworth. Environmental considerations, including the use of electric vehicles and air quality monitoring for officers, were part of the tender evaluation.

Thomson House School Street

The committee approved making the Thomson House School Street permanent. This decision follows a successful trial period, during which traffic levels within the restricted area decreased by 38% in the mornings and 19% in the afternoons, with a wider reduction of 31% in the overall monitored area. Public consultation also showed an increase in support for the scheme, with 70% of respondents favouring its continuation.

The scheme, located on Vernon Road, Howgate Road, Oaklands Road, and South Worple Way in East Sheen, aims to enhance child safety, promote active travel, and reduce exposure to air pollution. While ANPR cameras for enforcement were not proposed at this stage due to cost and complexity, their potential future implementation was noted, along with the possibility of enhancing entry treatments. East Sheen ward councillors, represented by Councillor Cambridge, spoke in support of the scheme and advocated for the consideration of ANPR cameras and boundary adjustments.

Q3 Quarterly Monitoring Report

The committee noted that the current revenue budget for services under its remit is projected to have an underspend of £658,000 for the financial year 2023/24. This underspend is primarily attributed to higher-than-anticipated income from parking services and increased street works licensing. The capital programme is forecast to be £15.6 million against a revised budget of £15.3 million. Key variances include an underspend in Network Management due to increased street works income and an overspend in On and Off Street Parking, influenced by higher-than-expected activity levels and a more optimistic forecast for income recovery post-COVID-19 and ULEZ expansion.

Forward Plan

The committee noted the Forward Plan, with several items scheduled for future discussion. These include a review of cargo bike activity, a paper on resourcing for air quality initiatives, a Thames Towpath Study, a Cross Deep Corridor Study, a London Road (Twickenham) Transport Study, and a review of borough-wide 20mph collision data. Additionally, proposals for an enhanced Good Move Scheme, bus service improvements, pedestrian pilot schemes, and a review of cycling parking facilities were added to future agendas. A borough-wide transport engagement exercise to understand long-term resident priorities is also planned.