Councillor Alexander Ehmann

During November 2025, Alexander Ehmann, in his capacity as Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, led discussions on various transport-related issues. He addressed parking policy, emphasizing the council's aim to understand parking behavior and its impact on pricing, while also noting the effectiveness of parking enforcement. Ehmann advised caution regarding parking revenue on match days, suggesting that excessively high charges could negatively affect local residents. He also highlighted the complexity of towpath ownership and maintenance, indicating that a paper on the subject would be presented and that a preliminary evaluation showed about half of the towpath network lacks established ownership. Ehmann confirmed that bus ridership analysis would be factored in alongside parking data and noted a general downward trend in car miles in the borough. He also clarified his reduced role in this committee due to increased responsibilities in housing, with Naz Hussain taking a more prominent role. Regarding e-bikes and e-scooters, Ehmann stated that promoting cycling is a policy objective and that hire e-bikes are considered relatively safe, with safety being a criterion for future operators. He introduced the Pedestrian Priority Pilot Project, describing the selection of pilot locations as a sort of art rather than a science. Ehmann also introduced the review of cargo bikes, highlighting the borough's leadership in London on these projects and acknowledging their importance for residents and his own ability to manage his role. He confirmed the inclusion of e-bikes, e-scooters, and the final transport strategy in the work program, targeting a February committee meeting. Ehmann was also present at a Special Meeting of the Council on November 11, 2025.

During the October 7, 2025 council meeting, Alexander Ehmann, as Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, addressed public questions. He explained the council's stance on exemptions for a banned turning movement on Burtons Road, stating that while possible under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the council would not grant additional exemptions due to potential confusion. He also provided a written response regarding sustainable transport for events and discussed a study on collisions involving vulnerable road users, noting Richmond officers' involvement in a London Councils working group on Vision Zero and anticipating additional collision data by 2026. He highlighted an increase in cycling trips across London with a reduced collision risk, though he could not confirm the exact percentage increase in serious cycle collisions without specific data.

During the September 8th Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting, Alexander Ehmann, as Chair, opened the session, welcomed new members and staff, and congratulated a colleague on upcoming maternity leave. He presented the Richmond-upon-Thames Transport Strategy 2040 update, clarifying it was a draft reflecting consultation feedback and priority areas, with the final strategy to incorporate broader input. In discussions on e-bikes and e-scooters, Ehmann sought insights from Hounslow's experience regarding communication, interoperability, and procurement. He also acknowledged the rapid evolution of transport technologies and the need to prepare for future developments. Addressing a public question on bus lane reviews, Ehmann explained the process and how future feedback from the 2040 Transport Strategy engagement would be integrated, noting that bus lanes in Richmond Town Centre were part of the Better Bus Partnership bid. He also facilitated a discussion regarding correspondence from Councillor Butlin concerning the Wykeham Estate. Ehmann concluded the meeting at 8:38 pm.

During July 2025, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, in his role as Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, discussed Vision Zero initiatives. He reported that officers are engaged with a London Councils' Working Group on Vision Zero and are awaiting further collision data expected in 2026. Ehmann highlighted a 39% increase in cycling trips, which has correlated with more collisions, but also a 23% decrease in the risk of collision. When questioned about an increase in serious cycle collisions, he stated,

I did not have the specific facts available to confirm or support them, but acknowledged listening to the comments made.

During the June 10, 2025, Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, in his role as Chair, addressed the delays of the Railshead Road scheme, citing safety concerns with a historic brick wall and difficulties with the private landowner. He stated,

The project has been delayed owing to safety concerns over excavating adjacent to the historic listed brick wall in the area and one of the things I put in parenthesis here is that my understanding is that the wall has not been judged to be unsafe as it stands, but that undertaking works near to it could render it to be unsafe.

He also confirmed arranging a meeting with the wall's owners. In response to public concerns about vacuum sweepers and leaf blowers, Ehmann pledged to have officers review alternatives and suggested referring the matter to the Environment Committee. He clarified figures for the Air Quality Action Plan, noting public support for cycling infrastructure, reduced traffic, and public transport improvements. Ehmann also attempted to add parking structures and vehicle emissions to the Committee Work Programme, though the item was not seconded. He oversaw the committee's proceedings and confirmed the meeting was being filmed.

In May 2025, Alexander Ehmann was appointed as the Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee.

During the April 2025 Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting, Alexander Ehmann, in his capacity as Chair, provided an update on the response rate for CPZ reviews in Richmond, noting it was approximately 20%. He also reported that the cost for a specific zone reconsideration had reached £25,000. Ehmann disclosed a potential conflict of interest regarding agenda item 39, stating a council officer's relative lived in the Kew Road area and that the officer had recused themselves. He then chaired the committee's approval of recommendations for agenda items 40 and 42.

During the March 4, 2025, Budget Meeting, Councillor Alexander Ehmann, in his capacity as Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, addressed public questions regarding council finances and infrastructure projects. He clarified that revenue from the Burtons Road Scheme is not ring-fenced and has been allocated to various council priorities, including concessionary fares, special educational needs transport, and planned maintenance. He also detailed reinvestments in the local area, such as improvements on Windmill Road, safety measures near Hampton Hill Junior School, and speed management for Park Road, emphasizing that transportation expenditure is not allocated on a ward basis and traffic enforcement revenue is not specifically tied to the area of origin.

Regarding the towpath collapse between Richmond Lock and Kew Gardens car park, Councillor Ehmann stated that the Council is prioritizing its urgent reinstatement. He outlined ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to define roles and responsibilities, the development of a design solution with a preferred option identified, and the securing of funding. Works are slated to begin in the spring, pending necessary consents. A comprehensive condition survey of the towpath, embankment, and drainage areas has been commissioned to inform future maintenance strategies. He concluded by mentioning the Council's commitment to substantial planned strategic investment in the towpath network in the coming years, with a focus on core functionalities related to flood risk.

During February 2025, Councillor Alexander Ehmann chaired the Transport and Air Quality Committee meeting held on February 3rd. He was present at the meeting and signed off on the minutes, indicating his approval of the record.

In January 2025, Alexander Ehmann, as Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee, addressed public inquiries concerning the Burtons Road traffic reduction scheme. He clarified that the scheme's objective was to decrease non-residential through traffic, not to generate revenue, and confirmed no record of a formal pledge for revenue generation. He explained that any generated funds are reinvested in council priorities such as concessionary fares, special educational needs transport, and local improvements. Regarding Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), Councillor Ehmann stated the council does not use this terminology or have an explicit LTN program, but considers streets with significant rat-running traffic for measures on a case-by-case basis, subject to public consultation. He mentioned an FOI request (LBR FOI 05827) for further clarification on wording and, while not explicitly recalling the Burtons Road scheme being under an experimental traffic order in 2021, reiterated the council's commitment to reducing through traffic and protecting residents.