Community campaigners have been successful in ending a cycling ban put in place by the Royal Parks in Bushy Park.

The 'no cycling' signs, placed last year throughout the Duke's Head passage from Hampton, will be removed by the end of this week and replaced with new signage asking all park users to show mutual consideration and respect.

Campaigners fought to reinstate the 500-metre long passage, connecting Bushy Park from Hampton Village, Teddington, Kingston and Hampton Court, to be used as a dual-path again for both walkers and cyclists, after it was banned in April 2016.

Richard and Jo Barrett, the campaign organisers, said: “We would like to thank everyone who signed the petition and got involved. It’s great that Duke’s Head Passage has reopened to all users as a shared path for walkers and cyclists alike.

“We would also like to thank The Royal Parks’ leaders, Richmond Borough Council cycling team, and SUSTRANS for listening to the community, and for their constructive collaboration over many months, resulting in a sensible and practical solution for all.”

The petition attracted nearly 1600 signatures and widespread media coverage - winning the support of Cllr Gareth Roberts and Tim Lennon from the Richmond cycling campaign.

“As the path reopens, we hope cyclists and walkers alike will again enjoy the Duke’s Head Passage whilst being mindful of the needs of each and every park user," added the campaign organisers.

The central concern in the community petition was that banned cyclists, including schoolchildren, were diverting around the park, to the next nearest park gate, using the blackspot A308/311 roads, with no provision for cyclists and an area with high accident statistics.