A decision by the Royal Parks to introduce 'traffic calming' safety measures on roads through Richmond Park risk creating accident black spots, it has emerged.

Concerns have been raised after a cyclist went over the handlebars, suffering injuries, as the result of a near collision with a car last week.

The Royal Parks have made a number of changes to the roads through the historic nature reserve, which has been at the centre of on-going conflict between drivers, cyclists and walkers.

It is now no-longer possible to people to drive around the perimeter of the park, which was a trip enjoyed my many people, including the elderly and disabled.

Separately, a number of so-called 'courtesy crossings' have been established , which rely on the goodwill of drivers and cyclists to slow down and let walkers cross.

As things stand it is not clear whether a driver or cyclist who refuses to stop to allow people walk across would be committing an offence.

One of the most controversial changes includes the installation of road narrowing and bollards to slow down passing traffic and cyclists at the bottom of Sawyers Hill as the road crosses the Beverley Brook, near to the Roehampton Gate.

Despite a proliferation of signs, it is apparent that road users are confused about who has right of way.

In theory, priority exists for cyclists and drivers heading up Sawyers Hill while those coming down the hill should give way, which involves slowing down or stopping.

Describing the incident last week, Richmond Park Cyclists, raised concerns that this could be the first of many.

Road lay-out before the safety measures were introduced (Credit Google)

The organisation tweeted: "A driver braked late and hard in order to give way as they didn't have priority. A cyclist behind the car braked and did not hit the vehicle but went over their handlebars

"An ambulance attended the scene of the incident, which took place on Wednesday morning."

Local cycling instructor, David Williams, posted video footage online of near-misses at the new traffic calming chicane or contraflow.

He said: "Two days riding the pinch-point contraflow near Roehampton Gate. This installation is generating unnecessary conflict and danger. Car drivers can't share, they bully."

Another cyclist described the new road lay-out as a death trap. He wrote: "Yesterday I had priority heading up from Roehampton Gate. Car coming opposite direction didn't give way.

"To make matters worse the car deliberately veered towards me in the narrow section forcing me very close to the bollards. Consider myself very lucky.'

One park users said: "It's a badly executed and confusing installation. It's not even clear what objective it's designed to achieve."

Another critic said: "A beautiful Royal park is starting to look like a safari park with all the concreted paths and different gates for this a that. The chicane is unbelievable.. it's only a matter of time before they take it down and admit it was a mistake."

One witness argued the new road lay-out has caused 'chaos and confusion'.

After monitoring the area for a period on Wednesday evening, he said: "Some cars stopped when they did not need to; some did not stop when the sign told them they should.

Near miss in the new contraflow system (Credit @Bigdai100)

"Are cycles 'vehicles' which should give way? Some cyclists stopped; others overtook stationary cars to go through and others raced through at 30+mph."

While many cyclists fear the new road lay-out puts them at risk, a number of people took to social media to attack those on bikes. Some argued that the man who went over the handlebars last week was at fault for being so close to the car in front.

Others complained that cyclists have turned Richmond Park into a velodrome with people racing to beat their lap times and abusing anyone who gets in their way.

In theory there is a 20mph speed limit on the roads, however this only applies to powered vehicles rather than cyclists who can reach over 30mph on some downhill stretches.