Now road past Parliament may be closed off for good

The road outside Parliament could be closed permanently to prevent further terrorist attacks on Westminster.

The proposal to bar traffic from Abingdon Street would build on enhanced security measures already in place.

Parliamentary authorities are currently in talks with the Home Office and Mayor of London about a feasibility study for the plan. Security minister Ben Wallace yesterday confirmed the Government has committed to help fund the £5million study.

The approach is seen as a more realistic measure than closing down the entirety of Parliament Square, which is a major arterial route.

Work on the plans began before the murder of PC Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death in March last year by Khalid Masood outside the Palin ace of Westminster.

Security around the building has been ramped up since this attack and the London Bridge and Borough Market atrocities, with barriers erected in many central London locations. Following a review of the perimeter, the number of armed officers on patrol has also significantly increased.

Onlookers and parliamentary workers were struck by how quickly teams of armed officers were on the scene of yesterday’s attack, swarming around the crumpled Ford Fiesta seconds later.

In contrast there were no armed guards to stop Masood when he ran over pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

The British Muslim convert managed to rush through the main entrance Carriage Gate, which was open at the time because MPs were voting.

But the bollards and barriers put in place since to stop terrorists mowing down pedestrians have raised concerns Parliament is in danger of losing its World Heritage status. Armed guards have been stationed at the checkpoint since the attack last March but there have been calls for police dogs as well.

In the wake of the atrocity, Sir Jon Murphy, a former chief constable of Merseyside Police, was asked to look at security. The former officer briefed the Speaker’s Security Committee about his key recommendations behind closed doors last July, with no hard copies allowed to leave the room. But his proposals are said to include strengthening the armed presence at key checkpoints.

In the aftermath of the 7/7 carnage, new truck bombproof barriers were installed in an effort to ‘target-harden’ Westminster. These include the reinforced low black ram- part-like walls that surround Parliament itself.

It is understood that Sir Jon also recommended installing a physical barrier in the river, known as a boom, next to Parliament that could stop boats from approaching the terrace where politicians socialise.

Security figures within Parliament were supportive of installing a barrier, pointing to similar measures at other landmarks along the Thames.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan included a plan for part pedestrianisation of the area around Parliament in the manifesto he was elected on.

Such a move is backed by some in Parliament but planning permission means it could take years to happen.