Richmond Lock Closure

3.19.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Apr 2004

MP Vincent Cable has backed local residents who are opposing the decision of the Port of London Authority and Richmond Council to close Richmond Lock footbridge in the evening.

"I made representations to the PLA last November when the closure was first mooted and they said they intended to proceed with the closure after consulting the council. The local Residents Association is quite clear that it doesn't want the closure and regards the loss of access in the evening and early in the morning as far outweighing the benefits which are said to include reduced risk of mugging and vandalism. There are such risks, albeit small, all along the river and roads of the borough and no one suggests that they be closed to the public. The council, which supported the closure, seems to have badly misjudged the public mood".