Dear all,

Thank you for being part of the campaign to improve our community’s safety along the A316, including St Margarets Roundabout, London Road Roundabout and the surrounding walking and cycling routes – whether you shared the message, signed the petition or participated in the protest, it is all making a difference and we have finally caught the attention of TfL.

We wanted to share an update on progress on each of the concerns raised in the petition.

Summary of key wins:

• More school signage to be installed in April
• Speed limit to be reduced to 30mph up to Deer Park 16 - 21 Feb
• 1 sec was added to crossing times outside school in afternoon peak Dec 25
• Straightening of crossing being considered (thereby making it quicker/safer)
• GPS speed limit was updated 1 Oct 25
• TfL to hold online public meeting in March to provide updates and answer your questions.

We want to be honest and clear: we still do not have all the answers, and progress remains slow. These are well-known, long-standing safety concerns affecting pedestrians, cyclists, schoolchildren, older residents and disabled people. While we welcome the fact that TfL are reviewing our requests and scheduling updates with us, we will continue to apply pressure for delivery of the change we petitioned for.
That said, there is movement on many points and a willingness to discuss options and we thank them for this.  We are scheduling another meeting in late February, where we will be pressing for clearer decisions, firm timelines, and tangible improvements.  We are also ready, if these do not materialise, to go back to Gareth Roberts, our London Assembly member, for direct pressure at City Hall.

TfL have agreed to an online public meeting in March to update all residents directly and answer outstanding questions.  We will share this as soon as we have a confirmed time.

Below is the latest position as provided.

ST MARGARETS ROUNDABOUT
1. Crossing times and pedestrian safety
A further review of traffic light timings took place in early December. As a result, the crossing time during the afternoon peak (15:15–15:45) was increased by one second.
 
We have continued to stress the need for sufficient, uninterrupted crossing time across all four lanes, particularly during the morning peak (8:30–8:50), when families are currently getting stuck in the middle of the crossing. TfL is carrying out further analysis, including a disability access study, but at present it appears unlikely that there will be any further changes to the signal timings.
 
We have therefore asked TfL to consider changes to the physical layout of the crossing. The current Z-shaped design requires pedestrians to walk sideways in the central refuge before continuing, which adds both distance and time to the crossing. Straightening the crossing so it is direct, without the additional walk in the middle, would shorten the crossing distance and could resolve the safety issue. TfL is investigating this option.

2. Physical protection in the centre of the western A316 crossing
TfL highlight that current pedestrian guard rails are installed ‘a guide for motorists to clearly identify the separation of the footway from the road, rather than to protect users of the footway from motor vehicles.’  We continue to argue that pedestrian safety must be the priority at this location and TfL are re-reviewing the collision data, the barriers as well as the possibility of a more direct crossing alignment (per the previous point) Barrier considerations on this may change if the crossing is straight.

3. Speed awareness and enforcement
GPS speed limit updates were completed by TfL on 1 October 2025. School signage  plan to be installed under the triangular warnings in April (there will be a lane closure at this time)
Discussions are ongoing about speed and traffic-light enforcement, and collision data between Whitton Road Roundabout and Twickenham Bridge will be used to help develop a plan.
 
PAVEMENT NORTH OF THE A316 (ST MARGARETS ROUNDABOUT → TWICKENHAM BRIDGE)
1. Protection from traffic
TfL are looking at the feasibility of installation of barriers in this area but have highlighted that it looks unlikely as the footway is too narrow for guardrails without creating a bottleneck for cyclists and pedestrians. However, Richmond Council Officers have highlighted that barriers are narrower than the bollards and have asked for this to be reconsidered with this in mind.  We will continue to press for this.

2. Conflict between cyclists and pedestrians
A site visit by the Engineering Services Team is planned to assess signage at blind corners and merging points.

3. Road design and surface
We have requested change the road surface at junctions to improve driver awareness of cyclists on the cycle path. This week, TfL have asked for photos of the key points of conflict and information on any other material plans the borough may have in this area.  Cllr Mansfield is providing these by end January.

4. Speed Limit
TfL have confirmed that the 30mph is being extended as far as Deer Park.  Latest estimate is between 16-21 February.  TfL will do a leaflet drop at the start of February to the local area to confirm.
 
PATHWAY FROM ST MARGARETS ROUNDABOUT TO WHITTON ROAD ROUNDABOUT
1. Maintenance
TfL agree that vegetation overgrowth needs to be addressed and have issued a Section 154 notice to landowners requiring more regular cutting back.
Segregation
This is a longer term options as a full design process takes six months and budget needs to be found.  The process is starting in February and we will continue to push for this..
 
LONDON ROAD ROUNDABOUT
1. Traffic flow and lane clarity
SCOOT (adaptive traffic signal control) has started following installation of new equipment on 17 November. This should improve traffic flow but the full benefits of the new system will not be apparent until March 2026.

2. Blocking and congestion
Yellow box or “keep clear” markings will only be considered by TfL once SCOOT is fully operational. Initial design work may begin in parallel, but we will still need to wait for this.  We will keep the pressure on!

3. Pedestrian signal alignment
The offset / co-ordination issue was being investigated in early December and made some minor adjustments that appear to have made this better.
 
With your help, we will continue to raise these issues, publicly and persistently until we see the changes we have campaigned for. We will update again after the February meeting.

In the meantime, please continue to share this information, raise concerns locally, and keep the pressure on. Change only happens when these issues stay visible.

Kind regards,

Laura Kerry, Cllr Katie Mansfield, Cllr Alex Ehmann