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Roland Perry · July 6th 14, 12:46 PM posted to cam.misc,uk.transport.london

In message , at 06:01:57
on Sun, 6 Jul 2014, remarked:
Given the likely size of the crowds, I'm not expecting them to lose
any sleep about access to shops like those.

The crowds will be spread out along a great enough length to allow
that.

I really doubt that. There were 230k in Leeds to see the start, it's
going to be packed in WC1.

The Bridge St frontage is almost the only one with any shops between Tower
Hill and the finishing line. I think they might just manage to allow
movement along their frontage.

Given that's it's such an exceptional site, isn't it more likely they
won't have put in place a special parallel-barriered solution?

Actually, the main exit from the Westminster Tube station is a much more
important asset to protect.

Later... I'm not sure what to make of this somewhat ambiguously worded
missive from TfL:

"Please be advised that some areas along the route will be
closed to the public for safety reasons and key locations, such
as the sprint in Epping, Parliament Square area and the finish
at The Mall in St James's Park, which are expected to be busy."

Does that mean these "busy" areas have the public excluded?

But also:

"Westminster Tube station - will be exceptionally busy between
12:00 and 18:00, and for safety reasons will be exit and
interchange only during these times. Crowd and safety barriers
will be in place along certain sections of the route. After the
event, customers located on the 'river side' of the race route
are advised to walk to Waterloo station (via Westminster Bridge)
until 17:00, and use other nearby stations after 17:00.
Customers located on the 'station side' of the race route are
advised to walk to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square
stations (via Whitehall and Trafalgar Square)"

Which suggests that Whitehall will be open to pedestrians. However it's
noticeable they don't suggest walking backwards along the route to
Embankment (Circle Line) which is closer.

Maybe because of:

"Please note that Embankment station is expected to be extremely
busy after 15:45. To avoid queues customers are advised to take
a short walk to Waterloo station (via the Golden Jubilee
Bridges) until 17:00. After 17:00 you are advised to the take
the short walk to either Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus
stations"
--
Roland Perry