Traffic around Westminster will be severely disrupted this summer as The Mall is closed for three months despite concerns being raised by the Prime Minister and the Mayor.
Transport chiefs say security and construction issues have left them with no alternative but to shut The Mall as a through route from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in early June until after the Paralympics end in September.
Motorists and pedestrians will be shut out of a 32-acre site, including the eastern half of St James’s Park as it is prepared for the marathon, cycling and walking events and construction of a 16,000-capacity beach volleyball arena in Horse Guards Parade.
Under intense pressure from City Hall and Downing Street, Games chiefs will keep one road north of The Mall open in June.
Motorists will be able to drive southbound down Marlborough Road, past Clarence House, and turn right into The Mall although this route will shut during the Games.
Peter Hendy, head of Transport for London, which controls roads around the site, said: “We have reluctantly concluded that it won’t be possible to get traffic down The Mall whilst they are building and the (Games) are in operation as it is a secure zone.”
A major stumbling block to keeping The Mall open was the hundreds of lorries driving through Admiralty Arch for the “massive” job of delivering 20,000 tonnes of sand for the beach volleyball arena.
Mr Hendy also revealed extraordinary diversions for pedestrians because of the partial closure of St James’s Park.
Hundreds of thousands of Olympic fans and tourists will be sent towards Buckingham Palace then routed north towards Green Park as all other normal exits will be shut.
Boris Johnson said: “We’ve shaved 10 days off the closure. We’re building a colossal venue. I’m going to work to provide further mitigation but everybody has been knocking their brains out on this for a long time.”
