Twickenham residents can now feed back on the council's proposed cycle improvements on three of the borough's major roads, and cyclists have already shown their support of the scheme.

Consultation for the proposals for Strawberry Vale, Twickenham Road, and Manor Road close on Friday July 30.

The A310 road links Twickenham town centre with both Ham and Kingston and has been identified by Transport for London as a top strategic cycle route in London.

Richmond Cycling Campaign's Tim Lennon has welcomed the scheme.

He said: "RCC welcomes this new scheme, and the ambition it shows.

"This is Richmond's second major scheme in a year, and we're aware how much officers have been doing on active travel.

"The design of this scheme, genuinely prioritising the safety of cyclists, should also see the same benefits for traffic as Kew Road: a clear consistent lane will make for safer driving and easier crossings for pedestrians.

"Obviously we would like to see this extended further at each end: the borough will need many more changes like this, teamed with school streets and plans like Twickenham Church Street, for us to really deliver step change in walking and cycling rates."

Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth added: "We welcome the proposals to make cycling safer in Twickenham and Strawberry Hill. 

"We have learned from schemes elsewhere in the Borough that such improvements can encourage people to switch to active travel."

While local cyclists have spoken in support of the scheme, some residents are concerned about the impact the scheme will have on parking.

Whilst there are some existing cycle lanes along the A310 Strawberry Vale Road, the scheme has been proposed because of its importance in linking areas of the borough and because of the number of road traffic collisions involving cyclists.

The proposed scheme aims to provide safer cycle lanes in both directions and includes some areas of full and light segregated cycle lanes where possible.

The proposal divides the stretch of road into sections with suggested measures that include:

- Widening stretches of the cycle lane by placing parking partly onto the pavement (there will be sufficient pavement width remaining to ensure there is no negative impact on pedestrians)

- Improved cycle lane facility with light segregation by installing wands and armadillos

- Double yellow line waiting restrictions 'at any time'

- Fully segregated off carriageway cycle facility

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Chair of the Transport and Air Quality Committee for Richmond Council, said: "The proposed cycle scheme for Strawberry Vale is similar to the protected cycle lane we introduced on Kew Road last year, which has since seen a huge increase in users and a positive impact on cars reducing their speeds.

"We hope that safer, wider and segregated cycle lanes along Strawberry Vale will have the same results, allowing more people to make journeys by bicycle so that we can all benefit from improved air quality and road safety."

The scheme aims to have minimal impact on existing parking, bus stops, driveways and pedestrian facilities.

Residents near to the proposed improvements will have received a letter and can access the consultation and a detailed plan of the proposed scheme online.

The consultation closes on Friday 30th July.

To request a paper questionnaire or another format contact: 020 8891 1411 or email: [email protected]