The ruling Lib-Dems on Richmond Borough Council have rejected a plea by more than 1,400 residents for an independent transport study into the impact of four major housing schemes.

The schemes are set to deliver more than 3,000 homes providing accommodation and workplaces for more than 6,000 people, however they have triggered fears of gridlock on the roads.

Artist impression of scheme for Kew Retail Park

It is also argued that no proper assessment has been made as to whether bus and train services will be able to cope with the flood of people, including children attending a new Secondary School for more than 1,000 pupils.

The Opposition Green group on the borough council spoke in favour of the petition and the need for a proper assessment of the impact of the schemes at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday.

The projects include a massive £600m plan to build 1,050 homes along with shops, a cinema, pubs and restaurants on a riverside site of the former Stag Brewery in Mortlake, which goes before the Council's planning committee next week.

Separately, the nearby Kew Retail Park will see shops demolished to build 1,200 homes; the former Homebase site in Sheen is set for another 453 homes; and the former Barnes Hospital site will have 80 properties.

Green councillors argued that the planning applications are going through the approval process based on out of date information and policies that fail to take into account their cumulative impact.

Former Homebase site is set for 450 homes

Cllr Niki Crookdake presented the petition on behalf of residents, saying: "These schemes will add at least 3,000 homes and 6,000 people living, working and going to school in our already densely populated area.

"Mortlake, Barnes, East Sheen and Kew are squashed between the river, Richmond Park, two railway lines and Barnes Common."

She said there are already many transport problems in the area caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and the Sheen Gate entrance into Richmond Park, even before any work starts on the housing schemes.

Cllr Crookdake said: "I see no evidence that the significant increase in development can be accommodated within our current transport infrastructure, principally the roads, while our current public transport service levels are so weak."

She accused the Lib-Dem leaders of the Council of failing to listen to the legitimate concerns of residents.

The councillor warned that without up to date information: "We will develop sites without the necessary infrastructure improvements to encourage cycling, walking and public transport, resulting in congested roads, poorer air quality and an over reliance on private cars."

She added: "We are not talking about an extra bus or two, we are adding over 6,000 people living, working and going to school in the second most densely populated area in Richmond."

More than 80 homes will be built on site of former Barnes Hospital

The councillor said there will be a clear need for significant alterations to local roads and junctions, dedicated cycle and bus lanes and new footbridges.

Green councillor colleague, Cllr Chas Warlow, said council transport policy and decisions are being based on information dating back to 2018/19 making the process 'fundamentally flawed'.

A third Green party councillor, Cllr Caroline Wren said: "This is an issue causing real concern, real distress for residents and we are trying to amplify their voice and press for positive change.

"We are asking for better evidence to be gathered to support officers in making evidence based decisions on transport infrastructure changes. We believe that planning decisions should be based on recent evidence not an outdated local implementation plan from four or five years ago."

Lib-Dem councillor, Cllr Julia Cambridge, said she sympathised with the concerns of residents who are 'good people'. But she argued it was misguided to spend thousands of pounds of public money on a transport study at this time, given the developments have not yet been granted approval.

Cllr Tony Paterson described the Green Party's support for an independent transport study as 'quite cynical' given that it comes just one week before the planning committee is due to decide on the massive Mortlake brewery scheme.

He argued it would be better to consult on improving transport infrastructure after the scheme has been approved and there is an understanding of the budget available.

Cllr Jim Millard, who leads for the Lib-Dems on housing, argued there are hundreds of people across the borough who need decent homes and stressed their needs should be considered.

The Council's lead on Transport, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, said the petition and the concerns raised by the Greens had 'tapped into anxiety felt within the area about both the developments and travel implications'.

The councillor said he empathised with the concerns, but he argued the people behind the petition had been 'at best naïve and at worst somewhat misleading'.

He said: "We will do all that we can to ensure transport is as successful as it can be following any decisions that are made on development.

"The petition has the support of a great many hundreds of concerned residents behind it, and I just want to say on behalf of this Council that we hear and we see all of you.

"Once we have determinations on the planning proposals that have come forward, if they result in approvals, we will be clear about the resource available to this Council and will engage in an empathetic and meaningful way to deliver outcomes that improve our residents' lives."