Hampton Area Improvements

Overview

Richmond Council consulted on proposed changes to the road network in the Hampton area. The changes would focus around the following junctions: Thames Street/High Street, Thames Street/Church Street, High Street/Church Street and High Street/Manor Gardens.

Background

The A308 Thames Street is part of the Strategic Road Network and provides a key link between Staines and Kingston, via the Hampton village area. High Street, Station Road and Church Street are important local roads linking the Hampton area and beyond, to the Thames Street corridor. There are three regular bus routes that provide Hampton village area with links to the wider community. These bus services also provide links to local areas of interest such as Hampton Court Palace and Bushy Park.

There is a high and often continuous flow of traffic travelling along Thames Street, and as a result, traffic joining Thames Street from High Street/Station Road and Church Street, is often delayed. The queues on High Street often block the exit path from Station Road, and this has a particular impact on bus journey time reliability. Furthermore, there are few adequate crossing points provided to assist pedestrians safely crossing the Thames Street / High Street and Thames Street/Church Street junctions.

The Hampton village area proposals aim to improve traffic flow and bus journey time reliability in the local area and on the wider road network. Pedestrian safety and accessibility would also be significantly enhanced.

The High Street/Manor Gardens proposals seek to improve pedestrian and cycle safety and includes the upgrade of the existing crossing to a wider Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists, and other localised improvements.

What happens next

The scheme was put on hold subject to further review and, at January 2011, the scheme is not currently being progressed.