A 20mph road in Richmond which cars are commonly known to speed on has not met the criteria for calming measures, as a survey carried out by Richmond Council found the average speed to be 15mph.

While on patrol, police officers say they have witnessed cars exceeding the 20mph speed limit on Gloucester Road.

They also say they have received numerous emails to sharing concerns about the same.

However, after carrying out surveys across the street, a spokesperson for Richmond Council said most of the people using this road are abiding by the speed limit.

Police were made aware of speeding concerns in Gloucester Road, generally in a west-bound direction as drivers attempt to bypass traffic on the A205 and re-join on Kew Green.

The concerns were flagged after the completion of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) off Kew Green and installation of double-yellow lines on Gloucester Road giving a clear, unobstructed stretch of road for motorists.

At a Ward Panel Meeting in 2021, this issue was raised with a now-former ward Councillor and with the Principal Traffic Engineer at Richmond Council.

The traffic survey carried out by the Council found that the mean speed of the vehicles was around 15mph.

To qualify for consideration of calming measures, the mean speed must be 24mph in a 20mph zone.

Officers have requested that the Roads and Traffic Policing Team consider carrying out a speed operation on Gloucester Road to catch those breaking the speed limit.

These operations will be infrequent, and a long-term solution will require support of the Council.

Officers will be continuing to intervene when out on foot patrol too.

In the meantime, Kew Police say they will continue to encourage the Council to consider traffic calming measures on Gloucester Road, similar to those on neighbouring Priory and Bushwood Roads.

A spokesperson for Richmond Council said: “The Council has carried out surveys and the majority of people using this road are abiding by the speed limit.

“We have therefore not found that further intervention from the Council is required at this time, particularly as any traffic calming measures would have implications for other roads users (including cyclists and emergency services) and would likely displace traffic to neighbouring roads.

“We will continue to monitor this road and consider it for future traffic schemes.

“We are grateful for the police for considering additional operations in this area in order to catch those few people who are speeding and posing a danger to residents and other road users.”

A spokesperson for Kew Police said: “It has become clear to us that residents are concerned about speeding around Glocester Road, generally in a west-bound direction as drivers attempt to bypass traffic on the A205 and re-join on Kew Green.

“This matter came to our attention after the implementation of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) off Kew Green and subsequent installation of double-yellow lines on Gloucester Rd giving a clear, unobstructed stretch of road for motorists.

“We have witnessed cars appearing to exceed the 20mph speed limit whilst out on foot patrol and we have received numerous emails to our inbox sharing concerns about the same.

“At a Ward Panel Meeting in 2021, this issue was raised with a now-former ward Councillor and subsequently with the Principal Traffic Engineer at Richmond Council.

“It is our understanding that a traffic survey as carried out by the Council and the mean speed of vehicles was around 15mph.

“To qualify for consideration of calming measures, the mean speed must be 24mph in a 20mph zone.

“I have asked that our Roads and Traffic Policing Team consider carrying out a sporadic ‘speed ops’ on Gloucester Road to catch those breaking the speed limit.

“These operations will be infrequent. However, and a long-term solution will require support of the Council.

“We will continue to intervene when out on foot patrol too.

“In the meantime, we will continue to encourage the Council to consider traffic calming measures on Gloucester Road, similar to those on neighbouring Priory and Bushwood Roads.”