Following a programme of maintenance and other work on Parliament Square, the fencing that has been in place around the grassed area is being removed today (Wednesday 17 October), allowing the public to have access to the square once more. The works have been undertaken as part of continuing efforts to make Parliament Square a public space that can be enjoyed by Londoners and tourists alike.
The Greater London Authority will continue to respect the right of Mr Brian Haw to hold a protest agreed by the courts on the pavement across the road from the Houses of Parliament and any other approved public protests.
As the authority responsible for the upkeep of Parliament Square as an amenity for all Londoners and visitors, the GLA can no more allow the Square to become an unauthorised camp site than would be the case with any other park or public square in London. Parliament Square does not have the facilities to be a campsite and must be a sanitary and healthy environment for all.
A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority said:
'Now that the maintenance has been done, we will be re-opening Parliament Square as an amenity for Londoners and visitors.
'We will continue to respect the court's decision that Mr Brian Haw may hold a legal protest on the pavement on the end of Parliament Square facing Parliament.
'The Square is neither appropriate, nor does it have the sanitary facilities to serve as a camp site
'As with London's other public squares and parks, Parliament Square will be maintained as a healthy environment and people will not be permitted to turn it into unsanitary camp sites with the flower beds serving as public toilets.'
