Richmond upon Thames Council has approved the development of a new Walking and Cycling Strategy, aiming to make active travel the preferred choice for residents.

The strategy, which will replace the previous Active Travel Strategy, was given the green light by the Transport and Air Quality Committee on Monday, September 7, 2026. It will support the implementation of the wider Transport Strategy 2040, focusing on creating a phased walking and cycling network, expanding cycle parking, and improving access to town centres and high streets.

David Tidley, Head of Transport Strategy, introduced the proposal, highlighting the success of the previous Active Travel Strategy, which saw an increase in residents walking and cycling, exceeding targets set by Transport for London (TfL). He noted that overall active travel has significantly increased due to the council's comprehensive efforts, including investment in e-bikes, cycle parking, school streets, road improvements, highway street scene schemes, and town centre projects.

Councillor James Chard, Vice-Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, expressed disappointment that TfL's financial support for walking and cycling measures has not reflected the borough's achievements. He stated that Transport for London does not really recognise that record of achievement in the level of financial support that it provides this borough with for walking and cycling measures, adding that Richmond's outcome indicators are amongst the best in outer London, but the funding has tended to go elsewhere. Councillor Chard also highlighted that the strategic cycling network metric was not met due to Transport for London's decisions not to prioritise development of that network in this borough.

The development process for the new strategy will involve extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation throughout Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027, with the final strategy expected to be published in Autumn 2027. The development of the 'phased walking and cycling network' will follow this timeline: Autumn 2026 will see stakeholder engagement and public consultation, followed by the development of a draft strategy in Winter 2027. Public consultation on the draft strategy will take place in Spring 2027, with the final strategy to be finalised and published in Autumn 2027.

Key areas of focus for the new strategy include:

  • Delivering a phased walking network: Identifying local priorities for safe and pleasant walking routes, with improvements to surfaces, crossings, accessibility, seating, and shade. The criteria for identifying local priorities will focus on creating safe and pleasant walking routes, including meeting the needs of people with disabilities.
  • Delivering a phased cycling network: Developing a safe cycling network that connects neighbourhoods and the core network, comprising high-quality routes on main roads and continuous routes on quieter roads. The criteria for identifying 'high-quality routes' will be a combination of high-quality routes on main roads and continuous routes on quieter roads.
  • Expanding cycle parking provision: Consulting on the right balance of different types of cycle parking to maximise the use of budgets, considering demand for secure hangars, Sheffield stands, and cargo bike parking.
  • Making walking and cycling the preferred choice of travel: Understanding local barriers to active travel to prioritise schemes that will encourage modal shift. The strategy proposes to focus on making it easier to walk and cycle to and around town centres and local high streets.
  • Enabling active travel to access town centres and high streets: Making it easier for people to walk and cycle to and around local town centres and high streets.

Further details on the council's transport strategies can be found in the Public reports pack for the Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting.