BCA petitions to reduce heavy through-traffic in Barnes

Barnes residents, businesses and community groups are increasingly concerned about the growing volume of large vehicles using The Terrace and Barnes High Street (A3003) as a cut-through.  These are not vehicles serving our local shops, cafés, or schools - they are largely routed through Barnes by sat-nav systems. 

The BCA’s Travel Barnes Ponder team is calling on Richmond Council to address the heavy through-traffic that is damaging our streets, endangering pedestrians and cyclists, and eroding the character of our riverside conservation area.  We are not seeking to restrict buses, coaches, or deliveries to High Street retailers.

The Terrace once had a full HGV ban, introduced experimentally in 1987 and made permanent because it significantly improved air quality, reduced noise, and made the area safer.  However over the years the restrictions were weakened from a ban, to 16.5T, then raised again to 18T in 2013, all without community consultation.

Today, the consequences are impossible to ignore:

• Narrow pavements and unsafe crossings place pedestrians and cyclists at real risk.

• Grade II listed buildings are suffering structural damage from vibration.

• Congestion leads to aggressive driver behaviour and dangerous overtaking.

• Pollution is increasing as larger and heavier vehicles pass inches from pedestrians/cycles.

By signing this petition, you are helping the BCA ask the Council to limit heavy through-traffic and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone who lives, works or walks here and to preserve the character of Barnes.  You can sign the petition here.