David Scott, Head of Communities and Highways explained that following the Westminster attack in March 2017, security arrangements had been reviewed and temporary barriers had been installed. Although they were not particularly attractive, they were very functional. Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Metropolitan Police reviewed previous security risk assessments for all involved in the well known times of Changing of the Guard to protect residents, visitors, security and military personnel. Any vehicle had to be considered as a weapon and he assured the Forum that the barriers were temporary measures and work was beginning on improving the street scene with integrated street scene measures to reduce risk of incidents of attack by vehicle. The Head of Communities and Highways added that there was also an uplift in numbers of police and security personnel deployed to manage the guard change.

TVP had led the process and appointed a specialist, following a procurement exercise and they had been on site and carried out a survey of the six current locations the temporary barriers had been installed plus an additional number of locations to be included in the permanent integrated security arrangements. The specialists are developing proposals which the council and TVP would review and then select the most appropriate measures at the different locations. The measures would seek to preserve the local heritage at sensitive sites and it would involve a number of different treatments.

The Head of Communities and Highways stated the proposals would go through the planning process and the expectation was that some proposals would be submitted in late summer 2017. The council was working closely with TVP and both the council and TVP together would make sure the final plans considered residents, visitors, businesses, the heritage and the conservation areas.

The Head of Communities and Highways explained that it had not been not possible to install just one barrier in Thames Street and two had been installed instead.. A consultation with local groups such as the Windsor and Eton Society would also take place.

The Head of Communities and Highways confirmed that as part of the planning process, when the planning application was submitted, residents and local community groups would be consulted and would be invited to make comments on the applications. A member of the West Windsor Residents Association (WWRA) requested confirmation that advice had been given to businesses and shops regarding what they needed to do in case of a major incident. Paul Roach, Windsor Town Manager confirmed that all commercial businesses along the Changing of the Guard route had been advised that with the barriers being installed, unloading and loading could not take place between the guards changed at 10.30am and 11.30am as a new security measure.  He added that Project Griffin Workshops were scheduled where over 100 employees from local businesses attended and this training was focused on anti-terror measures and what to do in the event of a terrorist incident. A further workshop was scheduled for October with another 40 businesses signed up to attend.