Boris Johnson scrapped railings on London Bridge when he was mayor because they were ‘ugly’
Concrete barriers have since been hastily put up in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack
STEEL railings along London Bridge were removed because they were "ugly", it has been claimed.
The decision to dismantle the railings six years ago has now come under scrutiny after the horrific terror attack that saw terrorists speed across the bridge and attack crowds in a bloody massacre.
has reported that then Mayor Boris Johnson had been part of the campaign to make London's streets look less "cluttered" and safer for cyclists, taking down the railings.
In details from a 2010 Transport for London report seen by the news outlet, it was stated that the guardrails should be removed from roads because they looked "ugly" and "increased maintenance".
The report, written while Boris Johnson was Mayor of London, is also said to claim that a safety audit demonstrated they were not needed.
A year earlier, Boris Johnson, who is now tipped to take over the top job from Theresa May, had shared plans to make London more attractive.
But last week, concrete barriers were hastily installed after the London Bridge attack.
Eight people were killed in the attack that saw Khuram Shazad Butt, 27, and Rachid Redoune, 30, and Youssef Zaghb use a van to plough into crowds.
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A TfL spokesman said: "Guardrail was removed in 2010 as part of a programme to improve safety – preventing vulnerable road users such as cyclists becoming trapped between railings and traffic – as well as reducing street clutter across London.
"Guardrail is not designed to withstand vehicle impact. For this, specialist barriers are required. The programme will continue."
Guardrails were removed from areas including Tower Bridge Road, Kings Cross, Baker Street, Hyde Park, The Strand and Piccadilly.
Security expert Will Geddes said the barriers would have at least slowed the terrorists.
He said: "Whether it’s a car or someone coming at you with a knife, street furniture or railings is a physical barrier you can put between a pedestrian, car or potential attacker, so that the victim isn’t the first point of impact.
"In light of the recent terror attacks on London Bridge and Westminster, traffic calming measures need to be put in place in all busy areas."
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