Cycling Banned In Richmond Park
Royal Parks suspends cycling following social distancing concerns
Richmond Park before the outbreak. Picture: Andreas Kambanis
Cycling in Richmond Park will be suspended until further notice from Saturday 28 March to support social distancing guidelines as set out by the government to stay 2m apart and to prevent crowds at park gates which are becoming hugely congested says The Royal Parks, the charity which manages London’s eight Royal Parks.
A Royal Parks spokesperson, said, “It is necessary to suspend all cycling in Richmond Park to protect public safety and ultimately help keep this vital green space open for everyone. Cycling is still permitted in the other Royal Parks, where there is no current evidence of congestion.
“We’re continuously monitoring the situation and intervening where appropriate, with the support of the police, to reduce congestion in all areas across all our parks. Many Parks are closing across the UK because people aren’t following the Government’s guidelines and people are gathering in groups of more than two. We really want to keep our eight Parks open across London as they are such important green spaces for those that can reach them safely for daily exercise and to walk in nature.”
NHS workers can continue to cycle though the park if they show their staff pass.
The Royal Parks is appealing to everyone to remain at least 2 metres (6 feet) apart from each other and there must be no gatherings of more than two people outside your immediate household at all times – that includes no groups of people cycling, walking or jogging, no group picnics and no sitting on a bench next to someone outside your household. They recommend that dogs are kept on leads, particularly in the deer parks.
They thank everyone who is following these rules but if they continue to be disregarded they say they will have no choice but to close.
Check The Royal Parks’ website for daily updates www.royalparks.org.uk/coronavirus as well as their Twitter feed @theroyalparks.
March 27, 2020