Richmond Park reopens to rat-running drivers after almost five months of car-free roads

I looked in vain in the article for the justification from Royal Parks for this re-opening, but could find none, so I went to the "fact sheet"; lo and behold, not only was there no justification, logic, reason or even a vague opinion for re-opening to motor vehicles, it didn't even mention the word "re-opening".  All it mentions is restricting traffic, road closures and closing links, but not once does it mention that the roads have been closed and they are being re-opened.

Pardon me if I suspect the motives of people who don't even acknowledge the perfectly clear and obvious actions they are taking.

They do say that they will be consulting in November and December, entirely coincidentally times when walking and cycling will be at their lowest levels.  Given their previous history of anti-cycling measures, this has stitch up written all over it.

From the fact sheet:

"All feedback received during this time will be taken into account to determine the final outcome of the trial. The charitable objects of The Royal Parks will also be taken into consideration."

Does anyone know what those charitable objects are?

Actually, it been opened this morning for through traffic (all signs and barrier pilled up by the side of the road). The first rat running cars back.

This is depressing. One by one all the environmental gains from lockdown are being eroded. I guess the government is keen to resume destroying the planet as soon as possible becuase increasing gdp relies on it and that is their misguided priority.

A few years back a Royal Parks survey showed 95% of motor vehicles were not stopping in the park (rat running) for leisure pursuits.  Parks are the lungs of any city and need to be kept for breathing fresh air, for dog walkers, horse riding, playing sports, having a picnic, cycling, jogging etc. 
It's mad that in this day and age we let motor vehicles pollute this precious resource. 

I haden't cycled in Richmond Park for years because of the traffic.  In the last few weeks we have been several times in the weekdays and it has been bliss.  The Park is peaceful like I can never remember it.  Everything seemed better.  I think it is a great shame that through traffic is again to be allowed.  We won't go anymore.

Sad move by Royal Parks. Sad and so predictable.

As for the "6-month trial", it was 'trialled' for years with cars in the park and briefly during lock-down without the cars: what's to prove? The various tribes - drivers, cyclists, pedestrians do not mix very well.

I used to cycle in the park several times a week, but accepted giving it up for the good and benefit of families and wildlife. Cannot say the same for car usage!

The only car usage I would, unhappily, support is drivers accessing the nearest park car park and then the car occupants, walk, cycle, ride a horse. Not going to add skateboards because those riders constantly remind me I will never master that skill.

Finally, I hope Royal Parks add road-kill to their stat's. Thirteen squashed things is my record count for a 25- mile ride. Well squashed too, more than 25c!

At a time when the government is trying to increase segregated infrastructure for active transport this does seem like an especially obtuse step.

Shame on Royal Parks! Both of the sections that have been re-opened to cars have a perfectly good road running almost exactly parallel (pretty much tracking the brown border to the map). There is not a single good reason why cars need to use these stretches of the park roads other than to rat run. Where is the sense in this? They had a perfect opportunity to leave the restrictions in place and bring about their strategy for change in an accelerated way. Another spineless decision that yields to the car lobby.