A community-led cycling and walking network development and design focusing on a strategic cycle route linking Kingston and Richmond Town centres whilst also establishing neighbourhood connections to local facilities.
PJA were appointed by the Ham and Petersham Neighbourhood Forum (HPNF) to undertake a feasibility study for a Richmond to Kingston cycling and walking route that will enable people with a range of ages and abilities to be able to travel safely and comfortably. The project also aims to connect the residential community in Ham and Petersham with town centres, schools, local shops, and greenspaces.
The network needed to be accessible all year round and unaffected by flooding to enable people to cycle and walk as a regular, safe and reliable form of transport. The area of Ham and Petersham is contained by the physical boundaries of the River Thames and Richmond Park with limited access by road. The area does not have rail or tube connections but is served by two bus routes, with an additional local bus to Kingston. Numerous footpaths and alleyways provide links within the neighbourhood area. The River Thames towpath is also well used, but as it is affected by regular tidal flooding and impassable at high tide, it is an unreliable utility route.
PJA’s approach to reviewing the Ham and Petersham street network has followed methodology set out in the London Cycling Design Standards (LCDS) and Department for Transport’s guidance on developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
The study considered national and regional travel data but also analysed locally collected knowledge through a comprehensive community and stakeholder engagement process.
The study not only makes recommendations on an emerging network layout but also includes specific infrastructure and intervention types; providing a project bank for limited funding to be assigned to elements of the network where the investment may generate the most useful returns.
The prioritisation process is not designed to discount or rule out schemes, as the full benefits of a cycling network would not be realised with an incomplete network. Moreover, funding opportunities tend to require a reactive and “shovel-ready” mindset. Therefore, the study made recommendations for a complete cycling network for Ham and Petersham with a project bank with suggested infrastructure treatments and indicative costs.
Following completion of the study the local authority, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, adopted the study and used it as a base for their 2018 Liveable Neighbourhood bid to Transport for London.
