Kew Green Traffic Reduction

A traffic reduction scheme will come into operation in the Gloucester Road area of Kew Green, east of the A205 Kew Road, in Kew. It will be introduced under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) and will come into force on 30 March 2026. View the ETMO.

Restrictions

The scheme will introduce a package of ‘At Any Time’ measures, aimed at removing all ‘through’ traffic travelling northbound including:

• An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) restriction on Kew Green, this will be adjacent to the pond just north of the Priory Road junction
• An ANPR restriction on Bushwood Road, just west of the Maze Road junction
• An ANPR restriction on Forest Road, just north of the Gloucester Road junction 

In addition to the above ANPR restriction points, a one-way section of road on Gloucester Road will be implemented between Kew Green and Cambridge Road. This will only allow eastbound traffic to use this section of Gloucester Road, albeit cyclists will be able to travel in both directions. 

Enforcement

Non-exempt vehicles will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if passing through the ANPR restriction points, these will operate at all times. Road signs clearly indicate where non-exempt drivers are not allowed to go. 

The scheme uses intelligent camera technology to ensure that exempt vehicles can use the area freely.

View the enforcement scheme plan showing camera locations and all signage associated with the scheme.

New routes

All properties remain accessible without having to travel through a restriction point. However, as a result of this scheme, some destinations will need to be accessed using new routes during the hours of restriction.

There will be no restriction on vehicles southbound and therefore any vehicle which accesses the Green off the A205 Kew Road, at the northern junction just south of Kew bridge, can travel south through the area without encountering a restriction point.

Maps

View maps relating to the scheme:

• Scheme plan - highlights the necessary signage and the enforcement camera location
• Exemption area plan - shows the area (addresses) where applications for exemptions can be made
• Access plan for non-permit holders - shows how non-residents can avoid the restrictions/enforcement cameras  

Access for non-permit holders

This scheme has been designed so that all properties can be accessed at all times, including for visitors and deliveries, without being required to cross the camera control point. Access route into and out of the area for non-permit holders can be seen on this access plan for non-permit holders.

Exemptions

To register your vehicle for an exemption, you must complete the online form two working days before entering the restriction point.

The following drivers can apply for exemption to these restrictions for their vehicles:

• Residents - up to 4 vehicles registered at an address within the approved exemption area per household. View the exemption area plan
• Businesses - up to 1 vehicle per employee
• Carers and healthcare professionals - Family relative carer (1 vehicle per applicant - by providing support document and each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
• Pre-approved by Exemption team - Only select this option if advised by our Exemption team

Emergency services, hackney carriages and cyclists will be exempt automatically and do not need to apply for an exemption.

If you are a resident but your vehicle is registered to an address outside the catchment area (e.g. a company or lease hire car) you can still register for the scheme, as long as the rental agreement shows the residential address, vehicle registration number (VRN), and your name.

Apply for an exemption

Only eligible postal addresses will be visible on the form.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all details are correct on the application, including your vehicle registration number and the documents uploaded. Failure to do so may result in delays processing the exemption request and/or Penalty Charge Notices being issued.

If your regular vehicle is temporarily out of service and you need an exemption for a courtesy or short-term hire car, please apply providing proof of ownership for the temporary/courtesy vehicle and let us know as soon as you no longer need it. For any questions or to discuss special circumstances, email transportexemptions@richmond.gov.uk.

Documents 

You can upload scanned images, or photos of your documents taken by your phone or camera. You must submit at least one document. You may add additional documents as needed to cover all the details required.

Residents 

The documents provided must confirm:

• The name of the driver
• The vehicle registration number
• The address selected on the exemption form

The following documents will be accepted:

•    Vehicle registration / V5C 
•    Motor insurance – current year
•    Company car letter – dated within the last three months 
•    Vehicle hire or lease agreement – current year 

Employees of local business

Employees will need to provide additional evidence. A staff ID badge will not be accepted as valid proof.

•  Employees should provide a letter from their employer that confirms the name and address of the business, this must be within the approved exemption area. This letter must also mention the employee vehicle registration number to which the exemption will apply

Carers and healthcare professionals

Carers and healthcare professionals will need to provide additional evidence. A staff ID badge will not be accepted as valid proof. 

• Carers should provide a letter or email from a resident (or representative of) confirming the need for a carer, and the time period for which the exemption is required for
• Healthcare professionals should provide a letter from your manager or workplace confirming your name, vehicle registration and the reason for exemption (e.g. duty of care in the community)  

Pre-Approved by Exemption Team

Staff ID badges will not be accepted. Upload a letter from workplace confirming:

• Applicant's name
• Team / Department
•  Vehicle registration number
• Reason for the exemption

After you apply

It is an offence to drive during the restricted times without having a valid exemption permit. It is important that you do not  travel through the restriction point while your application is being processed. This will take two working days. In the meantime, the scheme is designed so you can still access all properties without an exemption.

Your vehicle will not be exempt until your application is approved. It can take up to two working days to process your application (excluding weekends and bank holidays).

You will receive a separate email confirmation once the exemption has been activated. Please check your spam or junk folders.

Once approved, exemption permits will be valid for the duration of the experimental scheme. If the scheme is made permanent after this period, approved applicants will receive guidance on how to re-apply for the exemption and this page will be updated. 

Submit your application

To notify us of a change in contact details

If your contact details change whilst you hold an exemption permit, you must notify us of your new contact details so that we can update our records. Failure to do so may result in you not receiving your renewal reminder and you may be issued a PCN as a result. To update your contact details, email  transportexemptions@richmond.gov.uk and include the following information:

• Applicants name
• Vehicle registration number
• New contact details
• Traffic Scheme location

Replace or remove an exemption

Find out what to do if your circumstances change.

Replace an existing vehicle registration

If you have changed your vehicle registration, you must amend your exemption accordingly by making an application as you would for a new vehicle to be added to the exemption list. 

When you add the new vehicle registration, you will be asked if this application is to replace a vehicle you have previously registered for exemption. Enter the registration to be removed in the relevant text box and continue to complete the form, submitting at the end.

Remove a vehicle

If you have moved house or sold your car and no longer need access to the Kew Green restriction, email transportexemptions@richmond.gov.uk including details of the vehicle registration number (VRN) to be removed from the exemption list.

Background to the scheme

In November 2023 the Council received a petition from the Kew Green residents requesting measures to remove ‘rat-running’ from the area. The petition had a total of 462 signatures, equating to 68% of addresses within the area. 

A traffic survey undertaken in Gloucester Road during 2024 showed numerous hourly time periods where the traffic volume exceeded 200 vehicles/hour across a week period, triggering the Councils intervention levels for consideration of traffic management measures.  Most traffic flow was recorded northbound, suggesting that the southbound ‘rat-run’ is not an issue. 

In May 2024, a working group of Councillors, Council Officers and residents was formed to identify potential solutions to the concerns raised. This group became known as the Kew Green working group.

In Summer 2025, following lengthy discussions with Transport for London (TfL) and receipt of a funding allocation from TfL for measures to be implemented, we consulted the area on two ANPR options for traffic reduction, with overwhelming support for a scheme of this type to proceed. 

Full details of the consultation and responses received can be viewed in the Council decision report.

Assessing effectiveness

The scheme is being implemented on an experimental basis to allow us to assess its effectiveness. It will operate under an Experimental Traffic Management Order, which can last for up to 18 months. This will be published and become operational on Monday 30 March 2026, with the statutory public consultation period running for at least six months following the introduction of the scheme.

Reviewing the scheme

Following the six-month statutory consultation period, we will write to all residents and businesses within the approved exemption area seeking views, before a formal decision is taken on the future of the scheme.

As well as residents' views, the success of the scheme will be measured by a review of traffic volumes in the area, bus journey times and scheme compliance.

Contact

If you would like to raise any comments, concerns or suggestions relating to this scheme, or if you experience any issues with the exemption process, email transportexemptions@richmond.gov.uk quoting KEW GREEN within the title of your email.

Alternatively, please contact our main switchboard on 020 8891 1411. Relay UK for those with hearing or speech impairments - 18001 020 8881 1411.

It may not be possible to respond to all emails received.