A controversial traffic trial affecting Crescent Road in North Kingston is set to be decided tomorrow (Thursday, 29 January) despite consultation data showing significant opposition from residents, businesses and road users.

The Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO), introduced in March 2025, made Crescent Road "exit only" for non-residents travelling towards Richmond Park, while retaining one-way systems on King's Road and New Road.

The measures were brought forward as part of the council's Active Travel and Healthy Streets agenda, aimed at reducing through-traffic and encouraging walking and cycling.

However, while the one-way systems on King's Road and New Road have attracted majority support, the Crescent Road restriction has proven far more contentious.

According to council figures published ahead of Thursday's Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee meeting, 646 people responded to the council's "Let's Talk" engagement portal.

While King's Road and New Road one-way systems were supported by a clear majority, Crescent Road was opposed by more than twice as many respondents as those in favour. 199 support the Crescent Road one-way, while 406 oppose it.

Overall support for all three restrictions combined was also negative, with 401 respondents saying they did not support the full package.

Formal statutory feedback paints a similar picture. Of 170 statutory responses received between March and September 2025, only 15 supported the ETMO, while 102 objected and 53 submitted comments.

Despite this, council officers are recommending that objections be "set aside" and that all three measures, including Crescent Road's "exit only" restriction, be made permanent.

Conservative Councillor Rowena Bass, who represents Coombe Hill, says she and fellow Conservative Councillor Ian George opposed the Crescent Road element from the outset.

"Both Councillor George and I definitely oppose the ETMO," she added. "In the meeting in December 2024, Ian and I were the only two councillors who spoke and voted against it."

Cllr Bass stressed that opposition is not to the entire scheme.

She said: "We think the one-way system in King's Road and New Road is sensible.

"If you look at the consultation, residents clearly support those. But the extension into Crescent Road - most people, both in the informal and statutory consultations, are by far against it."

She described the Crescent Road restriction as an "overreaction" that has had knock-on effects for surrounding areas.

Residents living on Kingston Hill and in the surrounding streets say the restriction has significantly increased journey times, particularly for accessing Richmond Park and North Kingston.

Independent Councillor Jamal Chohan, who lives on Kingston Hill, said Crescent Road had long been the most direct route for residents accessing the park.

He added: "Since we've been cut off, it now means we have to take a much linger route down Queen's Road. For many people, particularly older residents, the car is their primary means of transport."

Councillor Chohan also highlighted concerns raised in the consultation about perceived inequality, particularly affecting residents of Kingsnympton and Cumberland House estates, which sit either side of Crescent Road.

He said: "They live on Crescent Road, but they can't leave their property and turn right. The perception is that the scheme protects the large houses while disregarding residents in council estates. That's deeply troublesome."

This concern was reflected in the council's own consultation analysis, which identified "perceived inequality and social division" as a dominant theme in objections.

Local businesses on Crescent Road say the restriction have led to a noticeable drop in footfall and passing trade.

"People are very scared about getting a fine," Councillor Chohan said. "They treat it like a no-go zone."

Businesses responding to the consultation raised concerns about reduced accessibility for customers, delivery drivers, taxis and tradespeople.

Some said staff travel times had increased significantly, while others reported customers leaving without stopping due to limited parking and restricted areas.

Another recurring complaint relates to enforcement. Residents say poor or unclear signage during the early stages of the trial led to many Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) being issued.

Councillor Bass said she worked with residents to overturn fines at the start of the scheme.

She continued: "The signage initially wasn't good enough. Some early fines were refunded, but after a settling-in period the council refused to refund any more, and people are very unhappy."

The council's report acknowledges criticism of signage and enforcement but states that issues have since been addressed.

Council officers argue that while overall feedback on the combined scheme was more negative than positive, the trial has met its objectives of reducing through-traffic and encouraging active travel.

The report notes that the Metropolitan Police raised no objections and that TfL buses experienced no negative impact on journey times.

The recommendation to Thursday's committee is that the Crescent Road restriction, along with the King's Road and New Road one-way systems, be made permanent.

Local campaigners say they plan to demonstrate outside the Guildhall ahead of the meeting, urging councillors to drop the Crecent Road measure while retaining the other changes.

Councillor Bass believes the solution is straightforward.

"What residents are saying is what you would instinctively know if you lived in the area," she said. "Keep the one-way systems on King's Road and New Road, but open Crescent Road to all traffic. That's what makes sense, and that's what residents want."

The Kingston and North Kingston Neighbourhood Committee will meet on Thursday at 7.30pm to decide on the future of the ETMO.