Cycling accidents in Richmond have risen by 52 per cent in a year, sparking debate over whether 20mph speed limits could reduce the figure.

A total of 35 incidents were reported between April and June this year, compared with 23 incidents in the same period in 2013, council figures have shown.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Richmond Councillor Stephen Knight linked the increase in accidents to a lack of 20mph speed limit zones across the borough.

He said: “This 52 per cent rise in road accidents involving cyclists in the borough is extremely worrying and the council should be doing all it can to make our roads safer for cycling and walking.

“Sadly the Conservatives are instead resisting calls for 20mph limits in residential roads, despite strong support for these measures in their own public consultation, with more than 60 per cent in favour in both Kew and Whitton.

“Conservative election leaflets promised 20mph limits where people want them, but sadly it appears the Conservatives have no intention of honouring this commitment.”

Councillor Stephen Speak, cabinet member for transport, said Coun Knight was misleading people with his use of the statistics.

He said: “The intention of the consultation was to assess support from residents for area wide 20mph limits. 

“Coun Knight has latched onto one question which aimed to establish whether people would prefer 20mph area wide limits on residential roads or main roads or both. 

“These were mutually exclusive options, but that has not stopped Coun Knight from engaging in double counting to create a spurious result.”

He added that while he agrees the rise was “not desirable”, the extra 12 incidents should be put into the context of a “very rapid rise in cycle journey numbers”.

Tim Lennon, from Richmond Cycling Campaign, said he did not know why there had been an increase in accidents, but agreed lowering speed limits would cut the figures.