Cyclists suspended from Richmond Park by The Royal Parks following social distancing concerns

Cycling will be suspended in Richmond Park from tomorrow (Saturday 28 March) until further notice due to the volume of cyclists and the failure to observe social distancing rules.

The Royal Parks has announced. Police and stewards will be posted at park gates. NHS staff can still ride through the park.

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 follow government advice and to remain at least two metres (six 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 also recommend that dogs are kept on leads, particularly in the deer parks.