The police have confirmed that the 20mph speed limit in Richmond Park does not apply to cyclists, so bringing an end to a long-running dispute.

The news may well change the way officers monitor cyclists using the park's roads, which has involved hiding behind trees and using speed guns to justify pulling people over,

The important clarification is the result of pressure from cycling campaigners who asked the Royal Parks to provide definitive advice on whether the 20mph limit applies to cycles.

The Royal Parks, who manage the parks, made clear in a letter that the speed limit rules only apply to motor vehicles, but they stressed it was the role of the police to apply them.

Following enquiries from Nub News, the Metropolitan Police have now confirmed they accept this view, which means officers have no right to bring prosecutions against cyclists based on speed alone.

The admission opens a can of worms and raises serious questions about how officers have treated cyclists in Richmond Park and other royal parks in the past.

There are records going back over many years showing the police have brought a number of speeding prosecutions against cyclists on the basis that they were going faster than 20mph.

Separately, in the past, the Metropolitan Police have made a series of categoric statements that cyclists are 'of course' covered by the 20mph limit. The police press office now accepts this is not correct.

As a result, it would appear that legal action taken by the police against cyclists in the past may have been unlawful.

It would appear they now have a right to have these convictions overturned and, potentially, some compensation, given they will have suffered damage to their reputation, along with significant cost and inconvenience.

• In 2015, a cyclist was fined £200 at Lavender Hill magistrates court for speeding at 38mph on Sawyers Hill in Richmond Park. He was stopped by a police officer who had been parked behind a tree with a speed gun.

As well as the £200 fine for speeding there was another penalty of £200 for riding without due care, plus court costs of £200 and a £20 victim surcharge.

• In March 2015, a 42-year-old, pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking the 20mph limit. Magistrates fined him £65 plus a £20 surcharge and he was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £65.

• In 2013, a 16-year-old doing 37mph on Sawyers Hill was prosecuted for speeding. He was given a conditional discharge, as well as being ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and a costs order for £85.

These cases were publicised after going to court, however there may well be many others.

The statement that the 20mph limit does not apply to cyclists emerged in response to an inquiry from a campaigner who has adopted the Twitter name 'The Department of Parks & Recreation'.

A Royal Parks spokesperson said: "There is no speed limit for cycling on Britain's roads as cyclists are not required to have a speedometer.

"It is the same in the Royal Parks, although we do ask that cyclists observe the motor vehicle speed limit for the park, the road or path in question. This varies from 5mph to 20mph."

Nub News asked the Metropolitan Police about this and its press office confirmed that this Royal Parks statement was definitive. But, it said officers would still take action if cyclists are behaving dangerously.

Its press office said: "We expect all road users to act responsibly to ensure Richmond Park is a safe place for everybody.

"Officers carry out regular patrols and will take action against those seen to be driving or riding in an irresponsible manner which intentionally or recklessly puts public safety at risk."

The police press office refused to answer a series of questions related to past prosecutions and fines. It refused to say how many there have been, or to say whether it would be contacting those involved to alert them to the fact they may have been prosecuted unlawfully.