§ Lord Colwynasked Her Majesty's Government:
For how much longer the barriers restricting traffic flow opposite the American Embassy in Upper Brook Street are likely to remain in place; and why diplomatic parking is permitted opposite these barriers, which leaves only a single lane for normal use. [HL3677]
§ Lord RookerThis is an operational decision by the Metropolitan Police. The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis informs me that the barriers placed in Upper Brook Street are the result of the significant threat to American interests from international terrorism. This threat remains. Security measures across London are kept under constant review.
The diplomatic parking bays referred to are for the general use of the considerable diplomatic community that exits in the Grosvenor Square area. The commissioner assures me that there is no continuing traffic management problem there. His officers have met with the local community and neither the parking bays nor the barriers have been raised as issues.