§ Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Ham Gate of Richmond Park will remain open in the evening until midnight throughout the forthcoming months until the Petersham Road is open to traffic.
§ Mr. MonroFollowing the closure of Petersham Road, use of a route within Richmond Park has been permitted as an alternative, and both Richmond Gate and Kingston Gate have been kept open until midnight. As it is necessary to prevent goods vehicles from entering the park and using roads that are not capable of taking heavy traffic, police are required to be on duty at the gates whilst they are open. These additional duties place a considerable strain on the resources of the Royal Parks Constabulary. However, thanks to assistance from the London borough of Richmond it has been possible to keep Ham Gate open until midnight as well.
My right hon. Friend is prepared to allow the present use of Richmond Park to continue whilst Petersham road is closed, but circumstances may arise which would make it necessary to revise the existing arrangements.