RESIDENTS who live on a famous street thanks to it featuring in Hollywood films and TV shows say they are trapped in their homes due to a thoughtless council.
Portobello Road in West London is also well-known thanks to its markets which attracts visitors from far afield all year round.
GettyPortobello Road Market attracts people from all around the world[/caption]
The road and its markets featured heavily in the hit movie Notting Hill, starring Hugh GrantAlamy
Locals in the area say though that they feel “trapped in their homes” due to the terror curbs that have been implemented.
It comes after the road underwent significant renovation which saw a number of improvements made to the area.
A legal challenge is being launched by residents and traders over the anti-terrorism measures which prevent vehicles from gaining access during the day.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which oversees the market, erected barriers and implemented traffic restrictions due to fears of vehicles being driven into pedestrians.
The vehicle ban is in operation between 10am and 4pm for either three or seven days a week, depending on the section, and this has given rise to concerns by residents that they won’t be able to leave or that emergency services, deliveries or taxis won’t be able to reach them.
Patrick Somers, who lives in Portobello Mews, said residents only found out about the restrictions just a few days before they were implemented on July 1.
Mr Somers is now leading a legal challenge by residents and local traders against the council’s decision.
He told The Times: “We absolutely support anti-terror measures. Who wouldn’t? We want to protect people. We want to protect ourselves. We want people to visit this lovely area.
“But you’ve got to balance it, because if you talk to the police or a risk consultant, they’ll say, ‘don’t go out, lock yourselves in and you’ll be fine’.
“But most people can’t live that way — and with that approach, the terrorists win as well.”
Although the barriers are meant to open for emergency services, Mr Somers alleged that when a resident called for an ambulance for a young child who was having difficulty breathing, paramedics had to park beyond the barriers and carry their kit in.
He added: “It doesn’t matter if you would like to get to the airport or get to the hospital appointment or you have an emergency or whatever. It’s banned to all traffic.
“No taxis can come between ten and four o’clock, between three and seven days a week. That has in effect trapped people in their homes.”
The council has said it had consulted with emergency services to ensure their vehicles could get through.
Antiques dealer Geoff Knowles told the paper the council had advised traders they could arrive before 10am and leave after 4pm, but he added that was not how many traders operated.
He said that the majority of traders that operated on Westbourne Grove usually got there at around 5-6am on a Saturday and then normally left about 1-2pm, making the new restrictions “a bit of a pain”.
He added that some traders needed to park near their stalls or had to go out to restock during the day.
Mr Knowles said that a fruit and veg stall holder would maybe turn up with tons of potatoes and carrots and would need to park near his stall; they wouldn’t be able to drag a sack of potatoes 300 yards every time he sold out of them.
A Kensington and Chelsea council spokesperson said the measures had been implemented following advice from the Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism security adviser.
They added the council had set up new blue badge bays and drop-off areas along the side streets and that blue badge holders in the closed sections could enter and leave.
The spokesperson said: “Our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the community and we believe the current measures strike a reasonable balance between protecting the public and supporting the needs of individuals.
“The temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order on Portobello Road was introduced to protect residents, traders and visitors from the potential threat of vehicle attacks during busy trading periods, following advice from counter-terrorism police.
“We continue to speak with residents and businesses, addressing concerns case by case to help inform proposals for a permanent scheme.”
AFPThe council erected barriers and implemented traffic restrictions due to fears of vehicles being driven into pedestrians[/caption]
AlamyHugh Grant’s character in the film, William Thacker, owned a travel book shop on Portobello Road[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
