The Transport and Air Quality Committee of Richmond upon Thames Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 09 November 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the council's corporate plan, bus stop improvements, cargo bike initiatives, and bus priority measures for the Superloop SL7 route.

Richmond Corporate Plan Actions and Key Performance Indicators

The committee is set to consider proposals for the Richmond Corporate Plan (RCP) key performance indicators (KPIs) for the 2026/27 period. These KPIs are intended to reflect the council's priorities relevant to the committee's remit and will form part of the new Richmond Corporate Plan. The report outlines a process for refreshing KPIs annually to ensure they remain relevant and challenging, taking into account changing service needs and national performance indicators. The proposals also consider metrics from the Local Outcomes Framework (LOF), a government method for tracking performance against national policy agendas. The proposed KPIs for the Transport and Air Quality Committee include targets for nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 air quality objectives, the number of electric vehicle charge points, new bikehanger and cycle stand spaces, the percentage of schools operating school streets, the percentage of trips made by active modes, and the number of new or improved pedestrian crossings.

Bus Stop Audit and Improvements

A review of the facilities available at bus stops across the borough and potential improvements is scheduled for discussion. The audit assessed aspects such as the availability of timetable information, shelters, seating, and pedestrian countdowns, as well as pavement condition and kerb heights. The report highlights that while Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for bus shelters, timetables, and seating, the council is responsible for highway works to improve usability. The committee will consider recommendations to prioritise bus stop improvements, including requesting TfL to update timetable information, repairing pavement conditions, lobbying for pedestrian countdowns, widening pavements, and lobbying for shelters at stops that currently lack them. The report notes that TfL has indicated a lack of budget for improvements in Richmond unless funded by the council, and that council-funded highway works can only be achieved at scale with TfL support.

Cargo Bike Initiatives

The committee will review cargo bike initiatives and activities from the past year, as well as ongoing projects. Cargo bikes are highlighted as a sustainable transport option for people and goods, offering benefits for air quality, climate change, and physical activity, while also being more affordable than motor vehicles over their lifetime. Richmond upon Thames is recognised as a leading borough for cargo bike adoption and council support. The report details the expansion of the OurBike scheme, the continuation of the 'Try Before You Bike' scheme, and the introduction of 11 experimental cargo bike parking bays. The committee will consider agreeing to expand the OurBike scheme to include non-standard cycles and mobility scooter bikes, continue the 'Try Before You Bike' scheme, and hold a Cargo Bike Fair in 2027. Decisions on making the experimental parking bays permanent will be delegated to the Executive Director of Growth and Place, and improvements for cargo bike users along quiet routes will also be discussed.

Bus Priority Improvements for Superloop Route SL7

The committee is asked to approve improvements and statutory public consultation for the Transport for London (TfL) Superloop SL7 route, which also includes parts of routes 285 and N285. The report notes the council's statutory duty to manage the highway network for the expeditious movement of traffic, including buses. It highlights that bus speeds across London are declining, making bus journeys less attractive. The Superloop SL7 aims to improve bus journey times on orbital routes in outer London. The report seeks approval for the design of bus priority measures in line with TfL's 2026/27 Bus Priority LIP grant allocations and authorises officers to discuss additional SL7 bus stops with TfL. The proposed improvements include kerb-side waiting and loading restrictions, and potentially selective vehicle detection at traffic signal junctions.

Richmond Winter Maintenance Readiness

An update on the council's readiness for the 2026/27 winter maintenance season will be presented. The report indicates that the overall readiness assessment is GREEN, meaning the service is considered ready for the forthcoming winter. This includes operational arrangements, staffing, fleet readiness, weather forecasting, health and safety, and resilience measures. Priority treatment routes have been reviewed, and additional salt bins have been installed. The council uses a specialist weather forecasting service and undertakes daily assessments. The report acknowledges that while the service is ready, it cannot entirely eliminate the risk of snow and ice, and treatment is focused on priority routes.

Q2 Quarterly Monitoring Report

The committee will receive an overview of the revenue and capital budget management for the second quarter. The report indicates a projected underspend of £563,000 for the revenue budget. This underspend is distributed across various directorates, with notable contributions from Environment Services and Growth and Place. The report also details the latest position on the approved capital programme, which has a total budget of £11.695 million for 2026/27.

Committee Work Programme

The committee will consider its work programme. Items scheduled for future meetings include a review of the Kew Green Experimental Traffic Reduction Scheme, a borough-wide review of 20mph speed limits and serious collisions, the TfL Local Implementation Plan funding submission for 2027/28, proposals for resident parking discounts for diesel vehicles, and a report on the Hampton Court Road cycle and pedestrian safety scheme. Future discussions will also cover the Accessibility and Inclusion Plan and cycle improvements on A310.