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Transport and Air Quality Committee - Monday, 7 September 2026 - 7.00 pm
September 7, 2026 at 7:00 pm Transport and Air Quality Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Transport and Air Quality Committee approved a further phase of the school streets programme and the development of a new Walking and Cycling Strategy. The committee also agreed to progress a lane rental scheme for the borough and noted a £57,000 overspend on the revenue budget for the first quarter.
School Streets Programme Expansion
The committee approved a further phase (phase 7) of the school streets programme, which aims to improve safety around schools and encourage sustainable travel. This expansion is subject to public consultation. The Executive Director of Place and Growth has been delegated authority to approve final designs and implementation following discussions with the Chair of the Committee and ward councillors. Currently, 21 school streets are in operation, serving 30 schools, and have generally been well-received with minimal displacement of traffic to neighbouring areas. The programme is funded from the existing capital budget, with £0.44 million remaining.
New Walking and Cycling Strategy
A new Richmond Walking and Cycling Strategy will replace the previous Active Travel Strategy, aligning with the Transport Strategy 2040. This strategy aims to deliver a phased walking and cycling network, expand cycle parking, make walking and cycling the preferred choice of travel, and enable active travel to town centres and high streets. The development process will involve stakeholder engagement and public consultation in Autumn 2026, with the final strategy expected to be published in Autumn 2027. The committee noted the success of the previous Active Travel Strategy, which exceeded targets for walking and cycling participation, though concerns were raised about the level of funding received from Transport for London (TfL) for cycling infrastructure.
Lane Rental Scheme to Reduce Roadworks Disruption
The committee approved the continued development and implementation of a Lane Rental Scheme for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. This scheme will allow the council to charge utility companies and other works promoters for occupying traffic-sensitive roads during peak times, incentivising them to complete works more efficiently and reduce disruption. Stakeholder and statutory consultation will commence, with a target implementation date of April 2027 and charging beginning in May 2027. The scheme is expected to generate an estimated annual net financial benefit of approximately £170,000, which will be used for highway maintenance and transport-related initiatives.
Budget Monitoring and Committee Work Programme
The committee noted that the current forecast revenue budget position for the first quarter of the financial year showed an overspend of £57,000. This was attributed to factors including higher petrol prices impacting parking income and a shortfall in income from CCTV access requests. The committee also noted the latest position on the approved capital programme.
The committee's work programme was updated to include a report on the borough's towpaths, an update on the Air Quality Action Plan, and a winter readiness report. The Hampton Court Road cycle scheme was likely to be delayed due to ongoing stakeholder discussions. An audit of bus stops and facilities is also expected to be presented in the coming months.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Petitions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee decided that recommendations were approved on 07/09/2026. There were no petitions.
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Apologies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee noted apologies from the Executive Director of Growth and Place, Naz Hussain. This was decided on 07 September 2026.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9 June 2026. The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council decided to approve recommendations on 07/09/2026. There were no declarations of interest.
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Q1 Quarterly Monitoring report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee noted the Q1 quarterly monitoring report on 07/09/2026. The report indicated a projected revenue budget overspend of £57,000 and provided the latest position on the approved capital programme.
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Development of Walking and Cycling Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee decided to approve the replacement of the Richmond Active Travel Strategy with a new Walking and Cycling Strategy on 07/09/2026. The committee also approved the proposed method for developing the strategy and its priority areas. The new strategy will focus on delivering a phased walking and cycling network, expanding cycle parking, and making walking and cycling the preferred choice of travel.
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Committee Work Programme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee noted the Committee Work Programme on 07 September 2026. The programme outlines upcoming matters for consideration including reviews of cargo bike initiatives, cycle and pedestrian safety schemes, and traffic reduction schemes. Specific officer actions include reporting on consultation results for the Hampton Court Road cycle and pedestrian safety scheme and the A310 cycle improvements.
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Ward Concerns
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee decided to approve recommendations on 07/09/2026. There were no Ward Concerns.
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Progressing a Lane Rental Scheme for the London Borough of Richmond
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee decided to approve the continued development and implementation of a Lane Rental Scheme for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on 07/09/2026. The committee approved commencing stakeholder and statutory consultation, authorising the Director of Resident Services to make minor amendments, and noted the anticipated implementation programme with a target commencement date of April 2027. Additional staffing will be recruited, fully funded from scheme income, and subject to job evaluation.
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School Streets
Recommendations ApprovedThe Transport and Air Quality Committee decided to approve a further phase of the school streets programme, subject to public consultation. The committee delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Growth to approve final designs and implementation.
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