TfL Ref: FOI-2476-2425

Thank you for your request which we received on 1 November 2024, asking for information about the traffic signals at the junction of Hospital Bridge Road, Percy Road and Powder Mill Lane, in 2024.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. 

I can confirm that no changes to the signal timings have been made in 2024; there has been no reduction in the green time for Powder Mill Lane. 

The traffic signals in question are linked with the signals of Hospital Bridge Roundabout. Strategies are in place whereby vehicles travelling southbound on Hospital Bridge Road towards the roundabout are held on approach to the signals of Powder Mill Lane when congestion extending back from the roundabout is detected. These strategies are in place to prevent vehicles blocking the pedestrian crossing points which creates a safety concern for pedestrians.

We have been recently made aware of a new school street which was introduced by Richmond Council on Longford Road in September 2024; this road runs adjacent to Powder Mill Lane. The new school street prevents entry to Longford Road from Powder Mill Lane, thereby meaning all vehicles now have no other through route and must continue to the traffic signals. There was no prior consultation from the borough on the school street which has since resulted in an increase in the number of vehicles now being made to travel via the traffic signals at Powder Mill Lane, thereby resulting in delays on this approach.

The current signal timings were set up to provide the best balance considering the traffic flows and high numbers of pedestrians at peak times. The introduction of the new school street has added additional pressure to an already oversubscribed part of the network.

We do not have any queue surveys of this part of the network. 

We take concerns about traffic signal timings raised to us seriously, and where possible we make amendments, unfortunately as explained above this set of traffic signals is under considerable strain as a result of actions outside of Transport for London’s control.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. 

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall 

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London