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Cllr Glenys Roberts |
US Embassy a ‘ticking bomb’
Residents want security protection but plans to fortify the site
are in crisis
PLANS to fortify the Grosvenor Square against car bomb attacks are in crisis after US Embassy officials admitted to major problems with the works.
The Embassy last June won permission from the council to fortify the area with rising bollards and a six-metre high perimeter fence costing £6-million.
The bollards would close Grosvenor Square to traffic in a high security alert.
The plans followed years of fears from resident that the US Embassy was a “ticking time bomb” on their doorstep and that a car bomb explosion would cause hundreds of casualties and damage property.
The US Embassy admitted they could not install bollards without major disruption to water mains, gas, electricity and telecom pipes beneath Upper Brook Street.
They said they had no idea when the works would be completed.
A spokesman said: “We are currently unable to provide realistic schedule for the work. The work along Upper Brook Street is hampered mainly by a major water line along almost the entire length of the bollard row. The work along Upper Grosvenor Street cannot proceed until other arrangements can be made for accommodating visa applicants.
“That will depend on construction of the pavilions on the east front, which we are also unable to schedule due to lack of schedule on utility work. When we commenced excavation for the foundations for these structures a few weeks ago we found substantial quantity of additional utilities not shown on our drawings.
“We are working constantly with the utilities and Westminster council to get these issues resolved.”
West End Councillor Glenys Roberts said: “Five and a half years after 9/11 and nearly two years after 7/7 people living near the UK’s top terrorist target are still totally exposed to an attack.
“We have been asking for years for road closures to secure the area. We were told this was impossible, but that security measures would soon be in place. This is no longer the case. It is an outrage.”
Mayfair residents groups, councillors, Mark Field MP and the Embassy have called in unison for Grosvenor Square to be pedestrianised since the 2001. But the council are against it.
Danny Chalkley said: “We understand that some major works on renewing utility services are required. Security is a matter for the embassy and the police.” |
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