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Cyclists want to be allowed access to a popular shortcut through one of London’s royal parks because they claim the alternative route is dangerous.

Campaigners have called on Royal Parks bosses to overturn a cycling ban on the Duke Head’s Passage Way in Bushy Park.

The 500-metre quiet, tree-lined passageway links the park to Hampton and is used to access Teddington and Kingston.

Critics of the ban said the passage was used by cyclists and pedestrians for more than 50 years before “no cycling” signs were placed there in April.

They claim riders, including schoolchildren, are now being forced to ride on busy roads around the park including the A308 Hampton Court Road which they say is an accident blackspot.

Campaigners argue the road, which is next to Hampton Court Palace, has no provision for cyclists and is four times more dangerous than average streets.

They said figures showed just under a third of all accidents reported, 15 out of 47, on the A308 involved cyclists over a four-year period.

Geologist Richard Barrett, 62, who launched an online petition with his daughter Jo, said cyclists were now forced to use congested roads around the park.

He told the Standard: “Unfortunately cyclists are having to ride on busy roads including this well-known cycling accident blackspot which is a big concern.

“The safest way to cycle between Kingston and Teddington is through the park, there are lots of schools around it.

“Putting this ban in place is outrageous and we feel the Royal Parks has unthinkingly closed the path without any real understanding of its safety.”

The Royal Parks said the ban was introduced for safety reasons.

Bushy Park - In pictures 5 show all Bushy Park - In pictures 1/5 Bushy Park reflections Derek Winterburn/Flickr 2/5 Fallen Willow Andrew Bowden/Flickr 3/5 Stag spotting Lucy Ray 4/5 A river runs through it Heather Smithers/Flickr 5/5 Keep on running Warren Little/Getty Images 1/5 Bushy Park reflections Derek Winterburn/Flickr 2/5 Fallen Willow Andrew Bowden/Flickr 3/5 Stag spotting Lucy Ray 4/5 A river runs through it Heather Smithers/Flickr 5/5 Keep on running Warren Little/Getty Images

A spokesman said: “We took the decision to ask people to dismount their bicycles on Duke Head’s Passage Way, for 450 yards, due to it being a narrow pathway which makes it unsuitable for cycling.

“We operate a liberal cycling policy in Bushy Park and this decision was ultimately taken for the welfare of both cyclists and other park users.

“We’re not excluding anyone from using this pathway, and we feel that walking with your bike for 10 minutes (at the most) is a very small compromise that will benefit all park users.”