Richmond parks fines double: what counts, what costs £100
Richmond parks fines double: what counts, what costs £100
If you’ve watched someone light up beside a playground swing set or launch a drone over Isabella Plantation and wondered whether anyone would notice, the answer is about to get more expensive. Richmond Council is doubling fixed penalty notices to £100 for a range of parks offences, from smoking near children’s play equipment to fouling the borough’s green spaces in ways that go well beyond dog mess.
The council’s cabinet approved the increase in fixed penalty notices at its February meeting, bringing the borough’s enforcement in line with other west London authorities.
What the new fines cover
The £100 penalty now applies to seven specific offences in Richmond’s parks and open spaces.
Smoking in children’s play areas tops the list, followed by flying drones without permission (which already requires council consent over any public land). The fines also cover littering, failing to clear up after your dog, and what the council delicately terms ‘public urination and defecation’. Cyclists who ignore designated path restrictions and anyone operating a barbecue outside permitted zones will face the same charge. The increase from £50 takes effect from April, with early payment discounts available for those who settle within 14 days.
The council has said enforcement officers will continue to use discretion, but the higher penalty is designed to match the seriousness of offences that affect other park users.
Where enforcement will focus
Richmond Park, Bushy Park and the borough’s smaller green spaces all fall under the new penalty regime.
Officers from the council’s parks patrol team already monitor high-traffic areas including Old Deer Park, Marble Hill, and the Thames towpath between Richmond and Twickenham. Drone flying has become a particular concern around Richmond Park’s deer herds during calving and rutting seasons, when disturbance can cause genuine harm. The smoking ban applies specifically to enclosed play areas with equipment, not to open parkland, though officers have warned that dropping cigarette butts anywhere in a park still counts as littering.
The patrols are most visible during weekends and school holidays, when visitor numbers peak and the temptation to bend the rules tends to rise with them.
What this means for you
If you use Richmond’s parks regularly, the practical change is straightforward: the margin for careless behaviour has narrowed, and the cost of ignoring the rules has doubled. Keep dogs on leads where signed, bin your rubbish, and if you’re tempted to fly a drone for that perfect shot of the Thames, check whether you need permission first through the council’s parks team. The early payment discount drops the fine to £75 if you settle within two weeks, which still stings but is better than the full amount. If you see persistent offences, you can report them via the council’s website or the Love Clean Richmond app, which logs location and sends the details directly to enforcement officers.
The new fines reflect a broader shift towards stronger enforcement of park rules across London, with Richmond joining councils that have found higher penalties more effective at changing behaviour than repeated warnings. Whether the increase actually reduces offences or simply raises revenue will become clear over the coming months, but the message is unambiguous: Richmond’s green spaces remain open and welcoming, provided you follow the rules everyone else manages to keep.
The new £100 level brings Richmond into line with neighbouring boroughs including Kingston and Wandsworth, which already charge the higher rate for similar offences.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appeal a fixed penalty notice?
Yes. You have 28 days to appeal in writing to the council, setting out your reasons. The council will review the circumstances and either uphold, reduce, or cancel the penalty. If you appeal, payment is suspended until the review concludes. If the penalty is upheld and you still don’t pay, the council can pursue the matter through the magistrates’ court.
Do I need permission to fly a drone in Richmond Park?
Yes, in most cases. Richmond Park and Bushy Park are Royal Parks managed separately, and both require advance written permission for drone use. For borough-managed parks like Old Deer Park or Marble Hill, you need consent from Richmond Council. Even with permission, you must follow Civil Aviation Authority rules, including staying below 120 metres and keeping the drone in sight.
Where exactly does the smoking ban apply?
The ban covers enclosed children’s play areas with equipment such as swings, slides, and climbing frames. It does not apply to open parkland or sports pitches. The boundary is usually marked by fencing or clear signage at the play area entrance. Smoking elsewhere in the park is permitted, but dropping cigarette butts counts as littering and carries the same £100 fine.
What counts as a barbecue outside permitted zones?
Any portable barbecue, disposable grill, or open fire used in a park where barbecues are not explicitly allowed. Some parks have designated barbecue areas with fixed stands or marked zones, usually signed at entrances. If in doubt, check the council’s parks pages or ask a patrol officer. Even in permitted areas, you must clear up completely and dispose of coals safely.
