After more than 20 years of danger dodging speeding traffic on the A3 outside Richmond Park, horse riders can finally cross in safety.

The Pegasus crossing at the Robin Hood Gate - named after the mythical winged horse - has a button two metres up a pole so riders can press it without dismounting.

A green horse lights up to show it is safe to cross over to Wimbledon Common.

The new £500,000 crossing includes a traditional Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists and is only the third Pegasus crossing in London, the others being on Ham Common and one in Hyde Park.

Champion British jockey Richard Dunwoody officially opened the crossing on Wednesday, at a ceremony with bosses from Transport for London.

Julie Gatt, of Stag Lodge Stables on the edge of Richmond Park, said the battle to get a crossing for the bridleway had been going on for more than 20 years.

She said: “As the A3 has got busier and busier it has been a real hazard to get across. It is terrifying.

“We just stand there and hope someone will be kind and stop. There have been a few near misses. This will be great.”

And Jackie Thomas, owner of Barnfield Stables in Kingston, which also has one of the most active disabled riding schools, said it would open up Splashfields and the riding rings and jumps on Wimbledon Common.

She said: “This is going to be fantastic. There was no way you could stop the traffic at all. We started campaigning about 20 years ago. We can’t believe they said yes.”

James Parker, climate change and sustainable travel manager at Kingston Council, said: “It is a great coup we are able to see this crossing in place.

“It is making these two green spaces we are very proud of much more accessible.”

Richard Dunwoody said: “Having spent my career in the saddle before venturing far afield as a pedestrian I commend Transport for London for this magnificent Pegasus crossing over the A3 and in giving safe access to all riders, walkers and cyclists, as they journey between Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park.”

Ben Plowden, director of integrated programme delivery at TfL, said: “This new crossing not only provides a much shorter and convenient step-free route for walkers and cyclists enjoying two of London’s best-loved green spaces, but also allows horse riders to cross safely, without dismounting.”