Questions have been raised over redevelopment plans at Richmond station.

Taxi drivers operating outside the station believe Transport for London (TfL) has been delaying the project to try to force a reversion to original, scrapped, plans for the site that would have meant paving over the station forecourt.

Driver Tony Wilcox said: “Public consultation went ahead and I believe the public voted unanimously to leave it [the front of the station] as it was [but we understand that] TfL bus division has turned around and said we’re not having this we want to overturn the public consultation and go back to the original plans.

“TfL is playing bully boy and we are not going to have it.”

TfL said it was ]still in the process of reviewing revised proposals.

A spokesman said: “Our primary concern is for the safety of commuters and pedestrians in that area and we did have some concerns about the revised plan.

“We have received a new proposal from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. We will be discussing this with the council and will respond to them as soon as possible.”

Initial plans to pedestrianise Richmond station forecourt were put forward in 2007 but following two public consultations a redesigned was called for.

Issues concerning residents included worries moving the taxi rank would mean passengers would have to cross the road late at night which could be unsafe.

Richmond Council said delays were down to TfL’s concerns over revised proposals.

A council spokesman said: “London Buses/TfL have raised concerns about the council’s revised proposal stating that the scheme is disadvantageous to bus passengers, causes operational difficulties and presents safety risks, particularly location of pedestrian crossing away from public desire line and sitting of bus stops too close to the junction.

“We are currently considering London Buses response and will be discussing the matter further with TfL.”