The Transport and Air Quality Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss the Richmond Corporate Plan, the committee work programme, and a draft towpath strategy. The committee will also consider changes to the legal status of the Thames Towpath.

Thames Towpath Strategy

The committee will be asked to note and comment on a draft Towpath (Movement) Strategy (TMS) for the borough, and to authorise officers to undertake public engagement on the draft strategy to inform the final version.

The council has a manifesto commitment to improve and enhance the Thames Towpath, recognising it as a nationally significant asset with its unique heritage, environment and community value . The draft TMS divides the towpath into sections and identifies prioritised upgrades and enhancements, while considering aspects such as condition, use, space, lighting, flood risk and biodiversity.

The report pack notes that the majority of the towpath has the status of a public right of way (PROW) footpath, giving a legal right of way on foot only. However, it also notes that cycling on the towpath is not an offence in the absence of a Traffic Management Order or byelaws.

The committee will be asked to approve officers commencing statutory procedures to change the status of the towpath and access routes from public right of way footpaths to restricted byways¹. A restricted byway would allow public access for walking, horse riding and using non-mechanically propelled vehicles, such as bicycles. The report pack states that the TMS aims to promote safe and considerate use of the towpath by all users. Proposed measures to support this include:

• Maximising the usable width of the path, where possible
• Cutting back vegetation to improve sightlines
• Adopting a code of conduct for all users
• Clear signage

The committee will also be asked to authorise the formation of a Towpath Board to provide oversight of the towpath's management, and to receive reports on the progress of each aspect of the strategy.

Richmond Corporate Plan

The committee will be asked to note progress against the Richmond Corporate Plan (RCP) actions and key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the committee's corporate priorities for 2025/26.

The report pack includes a summary of progress against RCP actions, including:

• The draft Transport Strategy 2040 being submitted to the September committee, with the final strategy scheduled to be presented at the February Transport and Air Quality Committee.
• The Pedestrian Priority Pilot Project being submitted to the November 2025 Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting.
• The full 2025/26 highways programme being on schedule for completion.
• Delivery of the 2024/25 electric vehicle lamp column charge point programme being completed in May 2025, with a contractor soon to be appointed to deliver 100 fast charge points in 2026.
• A successful inaugural Cargo Bike Festival being held in June 2025, with plans for a similar fair in spring/summer 2026, as well as a programme of Cargo and Cake sessions with Solve the School Run.
• Six cargo bike parking bays being installed in October 2025, with locations being explored for six more bays.
• Phase 4 of the bike hangers programme being completed, Phase 5 having completed consultation, and officers about to start advertising of Traffic Management Orders for 21 bike hangers.
• A new state-of-the-art cycle hub opening at Richmond Station, backed by a £664,000 investment from Richmond Council.
• A paper being agreed by the September Transport and Air Quality Committee setting out the future proposed approach to e-bikes, with procurement planned for late 2025.
• Consultation ending in July for Broomfield, where the council is considering trialling school street enhancements at Broomfield and Prince's Road, and consultation beginning in October 2025 for Barnes.
• Richmond continuing to make progress in delivering its' ambitious and award winning Air Quality Action Plan, aiming towards the cleanest air in London.
• The Strategy going to the December 2025 Transport and Air Quality Committee.

Of the indicators reported at mid-year (Q2) where data has been collected in both years:

• 2 (33%) have shown an improvement against Q2 2024/25
• 1 (17%) has shown a decline against Q2 2024/25
• 3 (50%) have stayed the same

The percentage of primary schools operating school streets has improved from 37.5% in Q2 2024/25 to 42.9%. The number of schools where RSP engagement has taken place has improved from 15 in Q2 2024/25 to 18.

The percentage of reportable monitoring locations achieving the Nitrogen Dioxide air quality objectives is off target. Richmond has adopted the World Health Organization interim target of 20 Microgrammes per cubic meter for Nitrogen Dioxide, to be achieved over the next 5 years. The number of new and materially improved pedestrian crossings has decreased from 2 in Q2 2024/25 to 0.

The committee will be asked to consider if there is an area of performance which should be recommended for consideration as part of the Policy and Performance Review Board's workplan.

Committee Work Programme

The committee will be asked to consider the committee work programme. Items listed for consideration at the meeting on 2 February 2026 include:

• A310 cycle improvements
• Future e-bike services
• Transport Strategy 2040
• Hampton Court Road cycle and safety scheme
• Highway Maintenance Programme for 2026/27