§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the reason for the erection of new police notices in St. James's Park warning that cycles left unattended will be removed by the police; and [HL1]
Why cyclists are not allowed to leave their cycles unattended at locations in St. James's Park and Westminster. [HL2]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyResponsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter to Lord Kennet from the Head of Policy of the Royal Parks Agency, Ms Viviane Robertson.
In the absence of the Chief Executive of the Royal Parks Agency, Mr. David Welch, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your two parliamentary Questions relating to cycles in St. James's Park, as this is an operational matter for which the agency is responsible.
Unattended cycles are a potential security risk in the vicinity of ceremonial routes and the most recent notices were displayed as part of the security arrangements prior to the State Opening of Parliament. They are visually intrusive in a Grade 1 listed landscape and damage the railings and their paintwork, and it is an offence under the Royal Parks Regulations to attach cycles or any other article to park railings or other park furniture.
I am unable to comment on the position with regard to cycles left unattended in Westminster.