Rivermeads traffic reduction scheme

A traffic reduction scheme will come into operation on the Rivermeads Estate in Twickenham. It will be introduced under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) and is expected to come into force in early May 2025.

Restrictions

The scheme will introduce a restricted vehicle access point on Willow Way, operating in a north-easterly direction only, from the junction of Bye Ways. The restriction will apply 7am to 10am Monday to Friday to cover the morning peak period.  There will be no restriction for vehicles entering Willow Way from Hospital Bridge Road.

Every property within the area remains accessible without crossing the camera control point.

Enforcement

Non-exempt vehicles will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if passing through the restriction during the controlled periods. Road signs 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 scheme plan showing camera locations and signage.

New routes

As a result of this scheme, some destinations will need to be accessed using new routes during the hours of restriction:

• Access to Willow Way will be via Hospital Bridge Road
• Any vehicles needing to exit the area east of Willow Way on to Hospital Bridge Road, will need to exit via Court Close Avenue onto Staines Road

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, and how non-residents can avoid the restrictions/enforcement camera during scheme operation hours

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.

Exemptions

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

Only vehicles registered at an address within the approved exemption area will qualify for an exemption, up to a maximum of four vehicles per address. View the exemption area plan.

An exemption will be granted to carers and healthcare providers requiring regular access to provide essential care to a resident living within the exemption area. Evidence must be provided, and each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

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 rivermeads@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.

The document(s) 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

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 that confirms the name and address of the resident receiving care
• Healthcare professionals should provide a letter from your manager or workplace verifying your name, vehicle registration, reason for exemption and employment

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.

You will receive a confirmation email automatically when you submit your application. If you do not hear from us within two working days, your application was successful. Permits are virtual and you do not need to display anything within your vehicle. 

You will only be contacted if we need additional documents or information in relation to your application. In this case your vehicle will not be exempt until this additional information is submitted and approved.  

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

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 Rivermeads restriction, email rivermeads@richmond.gov.uk including details of the vehicle registration number (VRN) to be removed from the exemption list.

Background to the scheme

We received a petition in early 2024 from residents of the Rivermeads estate, requesting measures to remove through traffic. In response to the petition, we carried out traffic surveys in February 2024 to monitor traffic speed and volume.

These surveys showed that the current traffic volumes, most notably during the 7 to 10am morning peak period, trigger our current policy for intervention measures (200 vehicles or more per hour). The predominant traffic movement is quite clearly from Staines Road towards Hospital Bridge Road.

In response to these concerns, we consulted the area on two options for traffic reduction and residents voted in support of a camera-controlled residents only traffic restriction measure.

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 7 April 2025, 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 within the approved exemption area seeking their 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 reviewing traffic volumes in the area 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 rivermeads@richmond.gov.uk.

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