Vehicle security barriers designed to prevent cars being driven into crowds have been installed around Nottingham Beach in Old Market Square.
The annual attraction opened on Wednesday, 22 July, and is expected to draw large numbers of visitors during the school summer holidays.
Portable Husson H-Stop barriers have been positioned around the event for the first time. The wheeled devices are designed to tip when struck, redirecting a vehicle’s movement and creating friction to bring it to a stop.
Gaps have been left between the barriers to allow pedestrians to enter and leave the beach area.
Nottingham City Council leader Councillor Neghat Khan said the equipment had been introduced as an additional safety measure following advice from the multi-agency events safety advisory group, which includes counter-terrorism representatives.
She said the safety of residents and visitors remained “of the utmost importance” and that the positioning of the barriers would be reviewed to ensure they provided protection without unnecessarily restricting access or movement through the city centre.
Event organiser Mellors Group said the barriers had been installed as a trial and were not a response to intelligence about a specific threat.
James Mellors, from the company, acknowledged that the barriers added to the cost of staging the event and were not particularly attractive, but said safety had to take priority in an area with high pedestrian numbers.
He said additional security could help visitors feel more comfortable rather than discourage them from attending. The council, police and event organisers will review the trial and consider how well the barriers worked and whether other options should be considered.
The portable barriers can be moved into position by one person and folded away when not in use. Nottingham Beach is due to remain in Old Market Square throughout the summer.
