Forum Topic

Beware Motor Vehicles on Embankment

On 29th October I was issued with a £130.00 Penalty Charge Notice for driving, albeit slowly, in front of the boathouses.The Except for Access part of the no motor vehicle sign has been removed and cameras are in place and working.How all those rowing boat, motor boat towing vehicles, school minibuses let alone people who simply drive down to sit and eat a sandwich in their cars whilst watching the river go by are going to be affected.  I fully understand that it is a part of the Embankment heavily utilised by pedestrians but - a complete ban?I am also aware that Festing Rd is used by commuters as a rat run in the mornings but surely a camera enforced no right turn at the junction with the Embankment during the morning would be a far better solution.

Amanda Oppe ● 2219d13 Comments

The traffic rat running eastbound along the embankment had greatly increased since the Lower Richmond Road has become a car park. If it was properly enforced it would soon stop. Whenever I have challenge people they usually claim they did not see the sign, which may be true as it is only one the right side of the road and not very obvious. There is a camera icon on it but since the problem seems to be getting worse, I dont think it is enforced. It needs to be.

James MacCabe ● 17d

Yes. Inhave even been sent a video of my progress! As I have wandered up and down for years - also being very local - without penalty, I am assuming they are brand new!

Amanda Oppe ● 2218d

Could the Council clarify the matter I wonder?

Caroline Whitehead ● 2218d

Are there cameras?

Lucille Grant ● 2218d

I think 'access' in this context means to 'properties or land' along that section of road. Thus, if you live there it clearly shouldn't apply, but if you drive in to park there and go for a walk or to look at the river, it probably does. I guess going to a boathouse would be OK. But how is this enforced? By actually observing vehicles and people entering and leaving the road without at any time calling at a property, or by logging cars parked in there? But that would create a potential slip up if someone parked at one end and then walked some distance to visit a boathouse, or indeed their own home!

Peter Evans ● 2218d

It is utterly ridiculous. I live on Embankment & have just been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice - kind of thought I would qualify for right of access to my own home! I have contested it - will be interested to see how WBC respond

Gill Hynes ● 2218d

The sign I ignored appears adequately visible so I have paid up at the reduced rate.I agree that the signage is poor but these days we seem to be being asked to absorb huge amounts of information/instruction on the roads within milliseconds.I am confused as to why the ban does not stretch the whole length of the boathouses - Rotherwood to Festing remains a thoroughfare. 

Amanda Oppe ● 2219d

Challenge them! The signs are inadequate.

Alexander MacLeod ● 2219d

Thank you for the warning.  When were those signs installed? I've never noticed them before!  Too busy looking at the road to safely avoid people and cars I scope. I suspect anyone heading East has a strong case for appeal due to a lack of sign on the left side of road.

Alan Sherman ● 2219d

I think this is rather sad. After years of walking and cycling along the Embankment, I may occasionally once every 3 months or so, take a slow drive along from the Thai restaurant to Festing Road and home, usually to take a visitor or elderly person.  Sometimes it's just for the happiness of living here, on the way home from somewhere.  I have never seen lots of traffic on the Embankment.  The only nuisance I would say is the occasional idiot who drives through the flooded road far too fast.

Bunny Payne ● 2219d

I have a blue badge and every Monday my support worker takes me to Leaders Gardens to the cafe, all year round  We park at the end of the railings near to the entrance to the Gardens as possible as I'm pretty immobile.  I don't understand. Is the Embankment not a vehicular road?  And does this mean that I could potentially be fined that excessive fine.? Coming in from the Lower, Putney Bridge end, Where does the road change it's rules?.

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2219d

It seems rather ambiguous if it doesn't specific where the access is limited to? How is someone unfamiliar with the road system supposed to know that? I must admit I wouldn't normally drive there from East Putney. The last time I did was probably 3 or 4 years ago when I was taking an elderly friend with a blue badge to Leaders Gardens (I think that's what the park at the end is called?) and going along the embankment seemed a reasonable access route.

Michael Ixer ● 2219d

On close examination it does still say Except for Access and the crime is not stopping between Glendarvon and Rotherwood Roads.

Amanda Oppe ● 2219d