The Transport and Air Quality Committee met on Monday 8 December 2025 to discuss the Richmond Corporate Plan and the draft Towpath (Movement) Strategy. Key decisions included approving changes to the legal status of the towpath to a restricted byway and authorising public engagement on the draft strategy.

Towpath Enhancement (Movement) Strategy

The committee discussed the draft Towpath (Movement) Strategy, which aims to improve and enhance the Thames Towpath, recognising its national significance, heritage, environment, and community value. The strategy proposes formalising existing usage by changing the legal status of the towpath and access routes to a restricted byway. This change would allow for walking, horse riding, and the use of non-mechanically propelled vehicles like bicycles, while prohibiting mechanically propelled vehicles, with exceptions for mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.

Key aspects of the strategy include:

• Managing User Conflict: The strategy aims to promote safe and considerate use by all users through measures such as maximising path width, cutting back vegetation for better sightlines, adopting a code of conduct, and implementing clear signage.
• Surface Treatment: A move towards bound path surfaces is promoted to improve year-round access and resist damage from tidal flooding. This will benefit all users, including those with mobility impairments, and reduce maintenance needs.
• Improvements by Section: The strategy outlines specific recommendations for improvements along 12 distinct sections of the towpath, addressing issues such as path widening, surfacing, wayfinding, seating, cycle parking, and tourism promotion.
• Legal Status Change: Officers were authorised to commence statutory procedures to change the towpath's legal status from a public right of way (PROW) footpath to a restricted byway. This aims to formalise existing usage, particularly cycling, which has historically occurred but lacked formal legal recognition.
• Towpath Board: Officers will form a Towpath Board to oversee the management of the towpath, ensuring a comprehensive review of all aspects.

The committee noted the draft strategy and authorised officers to undertake public engagement to inform the final strategy for adoption. They also approved the changes to the public right of way legal status.

Richmond Corporate Plan 2025/26 Mid-Year Performance Report

The committee received a mid-year progress update on the Richmond Corporate Plan (RCP) actions and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 2025/26.

Key points from the report included:

• Improving Performance: Two indicators showed improvement compared to the previous year: the percentage of primary schools operating school streets increased from 37.5% to 42.9%, and the number of schools with Road Safety Partnership (RSP) engagement rose from 15 to 18.
• Areas of Underperformance: The percentage of monitoring locations achieving the Nitrogen Dioxide air quality objective was off target, with 8% of sites currently meeting the World Health Organization's interim target. The number of new and materially improved pedestrian crossings decreased from two in the previous year to zero.
• KPI Review: Councillors discussed the approach to KPIs, particularly the nitrogen dioxide objective, noting that the current target is ambitious and set over five years, making the mid-year red status understandable but prompting a discussion about a more stepped approach for future reporting to better reflect progress. The committee also considered whether some indicators might be better reported annually rather than quarterly.
• Air Quality Action Plan: The report highlighted progress on the Air Quality Action Plan, including the adoption of strict nitrogen dioxide objectives and the installation of a new reference monitor in Richmond Town Centre.

The committee noted the progress on RCP actions and performance against KPIs and considered areas for the Policy and Performance Review Board's workplan.

Committee Work Programme

The committee noted the Committee Work Programme, which outlines forthcoming papers for future meetings. Key items include the A310 cycle improvements, Hampton Court Road cycle and safety scheme, future e-bike services, and the final Transport Strategy 2040. The programme also noted that papers on e-bikes and e-scooters would be added, and the March 2026 meeting would only be held if necessary.

The committee also agreed to add a paper on the future of car club services, specifically addressing the departure of Zipcar from the London market, to the February meeting agenda. This paper will explore potential replacement services and the reallocation of vacated parking bays to alternative uses such as cycle parking.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee. Attendees included Councillor James Chard (Vice-Chair), Councillor Carey Bishop, Councillor Michael Butlin, Councillor Jeremy Davis, Councillor Petra Fleming, Councillor Andrée Frieze, Councillor Marjory Millum, and Councillor Gareth Richards. Officers from the Growth and Place Directorate and other relevant departments were also present.