London to be protected from terror attack by new £5m ‘ring of steel’ built around the City
A MULTI-MILLION pound "ring of steel" could be built in London in order to protect some of the capital's highest skyscrapers from a terrorist attack.
Manned checkpoints, rising steel bollards, restricted roads and crash-proof barriers are among some of the measures proposed to strengthen the defences of London's Square Mile at a cost of £5 million.
A number of new skyscrapers which are to be built in the City are seen as particularly vulnerable to a lorry bomb attack, .
Counter-terror specialists have put together plans for a secure cordon which would seal off key routes to Undershaft, St Mary Axe and Leadenhall Street and limit traffic access without having the need for vetting by security.
Police and intelligence agencies are reviewing security for all landmark buildings and public events in light of what happened in Berlin on Monday.
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Simon Glyn, director of built environment for the City of London Coporation said: "The scale of these developments requires much greater levels of security than can be delivered on a site-by-site basis and an area-wide solution is recommended."
The scheme is subject to consultation but if approved, could be fully implemented by 2022.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: "We want to maintain the City of London as one of the safest cities in the world for residents, workers, businesses and visitors and work closely with the City of London Police to ensure this.
"Because of the high density of offices in the Eastern Cluster it is only right that we re-examine the security plans for this area of the Square Mile."
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