Hyde Park (Hansard, 7 July 2003)

Lord Berkeley
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 7 May (Official Report col. 1086) that the "Star Trek" promoters were contributing "an extra £10,000 or so" to improve the ground on which the exhibition was held in Hyde Park, what this improvement comprised over and above the reinstatement of grass. [HL3591]

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)
The work goes beyond simply reinstating the grass. The ground has become compacted as a result of events and rallies that have been held there over a number of years and this has broken down the soil, affecting drainage and the ability of the grass to recover. The repairs involve removing the old soil, introducing new drainage and irrigation points, building up the surface with new soil to the required level as well as repairing damage to the footpaths.
The amount spent by the promoters on reinstatement was quoted in the Official Report as £10,000 in error. The figure should have been around £100,000 and the Official Report has been corrected for the Bound Volume.

Lord Berkeley
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What area of grass in Hyde Park had been allocated to "Star Trek" since early December 2002; and when this area will be restored to public use. [HL3592]

§ Lord McIntosh of Haringey
The area allocated to the Star Trek exhibition was approximately 2 hectares. The area was returned to public use on Friday 27 June although it will be necessary to carry out further reinstatement in September.

Lord Berkeley
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which events planned for Hyde Park in 2003 will restrict public access; what are the dates of such restrictions; and what are the approximate areas involved. [HL3593]

§ Lord McIntosh of Haringey
The major events being held in Hyde Park this year are:

Bon Jovi concert—28 June (approximately 14.5 hectares)

"Party in the Park"—6 June (approximately 14.5 hectares)
WA 15
Shania Twain—12 July (approximately 12 hectares)

"Pride in the Park"—26 July (approximately 12 hectares)

Erection of the site for the Bon Jovi concert took seven days. Restrictions were kept to a minimum—for instance, access was maintained for those wanting to play games within the enclosure until the last day or so when movements of site traffic made it unsafe.
The enclosure for Party in the Park, although reduced in size, will remain in place for both the Shania Twain concert and Pride in the Park. This will reduce the amount of disruption caused by building and dismantling infrastructure. However, between each event a footpath will be opened through the site to save pedestrians having to make a detour around the site.
The site will be dismantled after 26 July, taking about seven days, and a separate site built for Proms in the Park.

BBC Proms in the Park—12 September (approximately 10 hectares)

CBBC Proms in the Park-14 September (approximately 10 hectares)

There are a number of other minor events taking place in the course of the year which may restrict access to small areas of the park for short periods at a time.