The Council is proposing to develop a ‘Transport Strategy 2040’, a long term plan for the Borough’s future transport needs and aspirations. A paper was presented to the Transport and Air Quality Committee on 10 June 2024. https://cabnet.richmond.gov.uk/documents/s500011070/RTS2040-Final.pdf 

The paper recommends the commencement of a discussion with local communities. That in itself is interesting given the Council’s refusal to contemplate the 2023 community petition requesting a transport survey to provide a strategy for Mortlake and East Sheen before deciding the Brewery applications.

The policy raises questions. Will the new proposal be used as a justification by the Council for having no adequate existing traffic plan, ie our plan is to develop a plan? The call for evidence is not scheduled until November 2024, conveniently after the commencement of the Public Inquiry.

The Council is no doubt assuming that a community consultation would be on the basis that the Brewery development had already been approved. Would that be a genuine consultation or a fait accompli?

It might be important for the Borough as a whole but for Mortlake and East Sheen  it reeks of Twickers for Twickers.