Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in May. If you like it, please sign up on our Get Involved section - you will be showing your support for our work and you will receive our free monthly bulletins a month before they appear here. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed and why we are progressing the idea of reducing traffic in the park by charging for shortcut journeys.
THIEVES TAKE THEIR LEAVE
After the theft of 13 bicycles - one of which has been returned to its owner - and quite a few more that the police believe have not been reported, it seems that the thieves targeting Richmond Park have slung their collective hook for now. The park’s resident copper PC Paul Barber tells us there has not been a bike nicked since March 17th, marking an end to the spate of thefts that began on January 31st. It seems the same miscreants are flexing their light fingers elsewhere as bikes have now gone missing from nearby Roehampton University and Ibstock Place School, so the police are still on the lookout. From what they have told us, their investigation is making headway, although we have been asked not to reveal details in case it compromises enquiries. Hopefully the thieves will be caught soon - but in the meantime please make sure you keep an eye on your pride and joy or make it’s secure if you are stopping at Colicci cafe. Don’t be fooled into thinking the thieves will never return!
HEART OF THE MATTER
The things you learn when you meet park stakeholders! Dr Fiona Moore, head of the South East Coast Ambulance Service, now also sits on the Richmond Park Police Panel, and she gave us some useful information and tips regarding medical assistance in the park and outside it.
It turns out the park has defibrillators in four locations: one each in Collici cafe at Roehampton Gate, the Royal Parks and police offices at Holly Lodge, in the park police’s patrol car and at Pembroke Lodge (which is due to have a second unit installed outside). There is an additional defibrillator at the Parkrun, which is available only during the event on Saturdays from 8:30-10am.
Dr Moore also explained what happens when you call 999 for an ambulance. Most cycle accidents in the park are classed as C3 and C4, which means they are not life-threatening. The target response times for such cases is 80 to 120 minutes, although it could be quicker at quiet times. Life-threatening accidents (C1) get a response time of seven to 14 minutes while potentially life-threatening cases (C2) are 18-40 minutes. Again, response times may be quicker.
When you dial for an ambulance, the aim is to answer your call within six seconds. You will then be asked a series of questions to determine the nearest paramedic to your location, as well as the severity of your injury or nature of your illness. During the conversation - and without necessarily telling you - the operator may send a paramedic or despatch the ambulance if available. Additional info can be passed to the crew en route.
Obviously, we hope you never have cause to ask for medical assistance of any sort, but it is worth becoming familiar with landmarks such as the park’s entrance gates and buildings in case you ever need to call for help and give your location. If you want to get to A&E by yourself, the one at Kingston Hospital is the closest. Go straight out of Kingston Gate, keep going until you reach Kingston Hill, and the hospital is over the road on your left.
KINGSTON WAIT
Speaking of Kingston Gate, you may already be aware that it closed yesterday to motor traffic. It will be shut for three weeks while the council carries out essential roadworks just outside the park on Queen’s Road and King’s Road. The pedestrian gates will remain open but could get busy at peak times - so please be patient!
IT MAY BE TIME FOR BREAKFAST
Finally, we will be getting May off to a superb start by attending Richmond Park’s Stakeholders’ Breakfast meeting tomorrow, where we will raise a number of issues you have brought to our attention. We also hope to find out if Intelligent Road Charging - a small fee for shortcut journeys made using motor vehicles - will be incorporated into The Royal Parks’ movement strategy report. We’ll keep you posted!
SEE YOU NEXT MONTH
That’s all for this bulletin. As ever, please share this newsletter with your cycling friends - and if they like what they read, encourage them to sign up to our mailing list too.
All the best,
Richmond Park Cyclists
website: richmondparkcyclists.org
twitter: twitter.com/richmondpkcycle
facebook: facebook.com/richmondparkcyclists