London Bridge flanked by huge steel barriers as streets re-open in wake of terror attack
Police officers have also been stationed along main bridges in the capital in desperate bid to stave off copycat attacks following terror carnage that killed seven
LARGE barriers have been installed at Waterloo, Lambeth and Westminster bridges in the wake of Saturday night’s London Bridge terror attack.
Met Police officers have also been stationed along the capital’s main bridges in a bid to dissuade any potential copycat attacks following the latest atrocity to sweep the city.
The new measures come just three days after seven people were killed, and 48 injured in the terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market.
Londoners could be seen braving the rain as they crossed London Bridge in the wake of the atrocity on Tuesday afternoon.
Cyclists have slammed the protective barriers on key London bridges, moaning they take up too much room.
The concrete blocks, installed on Sunday night, are designed to prevent vehicles mounting the pavement and hitting pedestrians.
But bike campaigners reckon they are dangerous because cycle lanes have been narrowed to make room for the structures.
Sam Jones, the Campaigns Co-ordinator at Cycling UK, said: “Given the number, scale and type of attacks in the last nine weeks, it is understandable and right that the police and Transport for London are putting in measures to protect key points of infrastructure and the public from likely threats.
“Having been contacted by Cycling UK members about what this means for the current cycling infrastructure, there is clear concern what this might mean for protecting our most vulnerable road users on their daily and regular journeys as well.
“We are speaking with the London Cycling Campaign, and together we will look to contact TfL and the Met to work with them to ensure that high standards of cycle provision can be maintained while also preventing the necessary security measures.”
It comes after authorities ruled out measures to install barriers on London Bridge just 24 hours before three terrorists went on a rampage and drove a van at crowds of people.
The City of London Corporation said there were “no current plans” to install bollards on the historic structure on Friday.
While barriers haven’t been installed on London Bridge, it was reopened on Monday morning as defiant Londoners returned to work.
Anti-terror barricades were installed at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in the wake of the Westminster terror attack, but not on the bridge itself.
However concrete bollards were erected following the attack in March when jihadist Khalid Masood mowed down and killed four pedestrians on the pavement before fatally stabbing police officer Keith Palmer.
The structures, made of concrete and metal, appeared on the bridges overnight with people sharing images on social media.
Some questioned whether the barricades would leave enough space for cyclists.
Clint Seidel tweeted: “Barriers on Waterloo Bridge. Hope space is made safe for cyclists”.
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the barriers will help stop the kind of terror attacks seen in the city in recent months.
She told : “This morning you will see some hostile vehicle blocking on some of our bridges.
“That’s in response to Saturday night’s attack which involved a bridge and pedestrians being hit with a vehicle, as it was in Westminster.
“We will have more armed policing on and near the bridges and people should be prepared for that.”
Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday said the UK’s threat level will remain at “severe” following the attack on London Bridge less than 48 hours ago.
She also said police have identified all three of the attackers.
Armed cops have been carrying out raids across London in the wake of the atrocity.
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