On 24 January 2024 contractors placed notices relating to the installation of electric vehicle charging points between 199-207 Upper Richmond Road West. It was the first that almost all the business owners and residents in the nearby flats had heard about the works to be carried out on behalf of TFL and London Borough Of Richmond. Planning permission had already been granted.

Although the Council website stated that consultation notices had been served on everyone on 11 December 2023, only one actually received it. Inquiries were made of the Council who responded that neighbour notification letters were not a statutory requirement but Council records indicated that the letters had been generated and posted. And implied that Royal Mail might be to blame.

The Council stated that a site notice had been posted before planning permission was granted which fulfilled its statutory notification requirements. No-one saw that either.

There was no right of appeal. The Council said by way of reassurance that ‘a full professional assessment of the application was undertaken and the reasons for approval are set out in the Officers Report’. ‘The Council’s transport officer was consulted during the assessment process and raised no objections.’

No surprise there then and of little comfort to local people. There was no possibility of reversing the planning consent. Local traders and residents were left feeling cheated that they had not been given an opportunity to be consulted on the changes made.

Worse still nearly six months on the work has not been done. The electric charging points remain solely as posts; the spaces are unusable. There has been discussion with TFL about changing adjacent loading spaces to parking spaces. A decision from TFL is awaited.