Kew Green (Gloucester Road area): Proposals for traffic restriction measures

Closes 14 Sep 2025

Opened 28 Jul 2025

Contact

Any queries please contact:

kewgreen@richmond.gov.uk

Overview

Richmond Council is seeking your views on two proposals to improve traffic flow and road safety on Kew Green

In late 2023, the Council received a petition regarding traffic on the eastern side of Kew Green. Working closely with a dedicated resident working group and local Ward Councillors, we have gathered data and developed proposals to address the impact of through traffic in the area such as road safety, congestion and air pollution.

Traffic surveys undertaken on Gloucester Road in June 2024 demonstrated high traffic volumes of over 200 vehicles/hour using Gloucester Road in a northbound direction, triggering the Councils current intervention levels for treatment. The proposal aim to prevent northbound traffic from using the Green as a cut-through, utilising camera enforcement and one-way systems.

By removing through traffic from the area we can create a safer environment for residents, pedestrians and cyclists. Removal of through traffic will also aim to remove the congestion which occurs as vehicles try to exit back on to the A205, resulting in unnecessary noise and air pollution, and potential for conflict at the junctions.  

Southbound traffic will not be restricted, as surveys did not identify an issue in that direction. To specify, traffic surveys showed fewer than 50 vehicles/hour travelling south through the area, demonstrating that vehicles were not diverting off of the A205 to seek a quicker route in this direction.

Funding for these proposals was secured in April 2025, allowing us to now bring these options forward for public consultation. Any chosen measures would be implemented under an 18-month Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO). This allows for a detailed assessment of the scheme's impacts before a final decision is made.

What is an ETMO?

An Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) is a legal tool used by local authorities in the UK to trial changes to road layouts, traffic flow, or parking rules before deciding whether to make them permanent.

It introduces temporary traffic restrictions (e.g. road closures, one-way systems, new cycle lanes) and allows councils to test how changes work in real life before committing long-term. 

ETMO's can be in place for up to 18 months and during this time, the council monitors the impact and gathers feedback from the public.

We are seeking your views on two possible options, both of which are supported by the resident working group and are designed to prevent northbound through traffic. You can view the details of both options, including their proposed locations, on this drawing.

Before viewing Option 1 and Option 2, it would be useful to understand the following "ANPR Restriction" definition.

What is an ANPR Restriction?

What is an ANPR Restriction?

The proposals involve ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera restrictions. An ANPR restriction is controlled by a camera and allows access to vehicles registered to residents and businesses within an approved exemption area.

  • Free Exemption Application: A free exemption would need to be applied for by eligible residents and businesses. This is a separate process from existing parking permits.

  • Vehicles Per Address: We currently permit up to four vehicles per approved address to apply for an exemption.

  • Exempt Vehicles: Emergency vehicles, Council servicing vehicles, black cabs, and cyclists are automatically permitted access. Special consideration is also given to carers accessing addresses within the exemption area.

  • 24/7 Enforcement: Unlike typical peak-time restrictions, these measures are considered most appropriate to be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This decision reflects the specific traffic challenges related to weekend and evening events at both Brentford Community Stadium and Kew Gardens. 

You can view Option 1 and Option 2 below. 

Option 1

A package of ‘At Any Time’ measures including:

  • An ANPR restriction on the northern side of Kew Green for westbound traffic, just prior to the junction of the A205 Kew Bridge.    

  • An ANPR restriction on Forest Road, just north of the Gloucester Road junction, for northbound traffic.    

  • A one-way section of road on Gloucester Road for westbound traffic, between Kew Green and Cambridge Road.  

  • A series of advanced warning signage to limit movements from the A205 and to manage movements through the area (the locations shown are indicative and more signage may be considered necessary at detailed design stage). 

Pros 

Cons 

Will remove all through traffic heading northbound 

Likely to encourage some three point turning movements at the northern end of the Green 

Lower scheme costs than option 2 as only requires two cameras 

Signage and ANPR equipment may be intrusive to the street-scene 

Minimal resident impact 

Visitors and deliveries may be inconvenienced   

Option 2

A package of ‘At Any Time’ measures including:

  • An ANPR restriction on Kew Green for northbound traffic, this would be adjacent to the pond just north of the Priory Road junction.  

  • An ANPR restriction on Bushwood Road for westbound traffic, just west of the Maze Road junction.  

  • An ANPR restriction on Forest Road, just north of the Gloucester Road junction, for northbound traffic. 

  • A one-way section of road on Gloucester Road for westbound traffic, between Kew Green and Cambridge Road. 

  • A series of advanced warning signage to limit movements from the A205 and to manage movements through the area (the locations shown are indicative and more signage may be considered necessary at detailed design stage). 

Pros 

Cons 

Will remove all through traffic heading northbound 

Signage and ANPR equipment may be intrusive to the street-scene 

This layout does not necessitate any three point turns at the restriction points 

Increased scheme costs as three cameras will be required 

Minimal resident impact 

Visitors and deliveries may be inconvenienced   

Both options aim to minimise impact on residents and businesses, ensuring ALL properties remain accessible without passing through a restriction point. This means deliveries and visitors can still reach their destinations, though they may need to adjust their routes into or out of the area. We will work with mapping services like Google Maps and Waze to ensure these changes are reflected once any measures are installed. 

Have your say

The Council is keen to hear your views on these proposals. Your feedback is crucial to ensuring we make informed decisions that benefit the community.

If you are unable to complete the survey online and you would like a hard copy of the questionnaire, please call (020) 8487 5284 leaving your name and address including the postcode and quoting ‘KEW GREEN’ and one will be posted out to you. 

What happens next

Following this consultation, and subject to the feedback received, it is anticipated that one of the two options would be introduced under an 18-month Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO). ETMOs allow schemes to be implemented promptly, enabling their real-world effects to be measured and evaluated.  

Given the potential for additional queueing northbound on both Mortlake Road and Kew Road as a result of these proposals, the Council will liaise closely with Transport for London during the experimental period to monitor and assess any adverse impacts, particularly on bus journey times. This may result in scheme change or modification prior to the end of the 18-month period. Within the 18-month experimental period, a formal decision will be made to either make the restrictions permanent or remove them based on the comprehensive assessment.

Give Us Your Views

Online Survey

Areas

  • Kew

Audiences

  • Open to all

Interests

  • Richmond Borough