Richmond Council's Transport and Air Quality Committee has agreed to hear a petition calling for a 7.5-tonne weight limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on The Terrace and High Street in Barnes. The petition, submitted by Paul Hodson on behalf of the Barnes Community Association's Travel Barnes group, seeks to introduce and enforce this restriction, with an exemption for Transport for London (TfL) buses.
The committee, which met on Monday, March 16, 2026, heard that the petition had gathered over 1,000 signatures. Mr. Hodson presented the case, highlighting concerns about the damage caused by lorry traffic, including danger to other road users, structural damage to buildings, and increased congestion. He noted that People have reported cracks in their houses and other buildings of historical interest
due to the current HGV traffic.
Mr. Hodson also highlighted that all of the traffic virtually is through traffic rather than local, because of course there ought to be an exemption for traffic that is actually serving local businesses or local needs.
He added that local businesses along the High Street were supportive of the proposed weight limit, with Jan went up and down the high street, knocked on the doors of the local businesses. They were just as happy to sign as the residents in general. They want this to happen.
Similar weight restrictions are already in place in other parts of the borough, such as Richmond Centre, Kew Village, Teddington Village, and Petersham Riverside. Councillor Minolte-Howard, a ward councillor, spoke in support of the petition, drawing on his long experience of the area and the increasing congestion. He emphasised that the road was not designed for modern traffic volumes and that large lorries often struggle with the narrowness of the route and the underpass at Barnes Bridge.
In response, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the committee, acknowledged that the council had already been considering options for a weight limit at this location. He stated that the petition reinforced the need for such a measure and that officers had begun considering options. Discussions with ward councillors and partners are planned by the end of April. Following these discussions and the feedback received, the council officers indicated, we hope to be in a position to consult the community on any options following the May elections.
This community consultation is anticipated to take place after the May elections, with a view to potential implementation thereafter. The meeting information does not detail specific enforcement challenges or exemptions for emergency vehicles beyond the general exclusion of TfL buses.
