Popular Viewing Spot Sealed Off for Celebrations
Residents of London have reacted with fury after authorities made the controversial decision to close Primrose Hill to spectators hoping to watch the capital's famous New Year's Eve fireworks display. The Camden park, which offers one of the most panoramic vistas across the city, will be cordoned off with solid hoarding and temporary fencing from 8pm on December 30 until January 1.
This move comes after an estimated 30,000 people gathered on the hill to watch the Mayor of London's display at the end of 2024. The closure represents a dramatic shift from previous years, where the open parkland served as a free, albeit crowded, vantage point for the celebrations.
Local Residents Decry 'Grotesque' and 'Ridiculous' Decision
The decision has been met with strong criticism from those who live nearby. Amy McKeown, a local resident and member of the Primrose Hill Keepers volunteer group, expressed her dismay. "It is too grotesque to see," she stated. "The park has never been closed like this. This is completely unprecedented."
Ms McKeown emphasised that a public park should be accessible for such community events, arguing, "This is exactly what we should be encouraging people to do."
Another long-term resident, Catherine Usiskin, who has lived in the area for over four decades, labelled the extensive fencing "an overreaction." She told reporters, "It's just ridiculous. It's such an over-reaction. You can't close down society." Ms Usiskin also warned that the closure would harm local businesses like restaurants and pubs, and predicted that determined individuals would still attempt to access the park by climbing the barriers.
Safety Concerns and Policing Changes Behind the Closure
The Royal Parks charity, which manages Primrose Hill, defended the action, citing significant safety concerns. A spokesperson stated that the capacity to manage large crowds had been "severely diminished." This is partly linked to the disbanding of the Metropolitan Police's dedicated Royal Parks Operational Command Unit, a move announced in November to address a £260 million funding gap.
The tragic shadow of a previous New Year's Eve event also looms over the decision. In 2023, a 16-year-old boy, Harry Pitman, was fatally stabbed on Primrose Hill during the fireworks viewing. Areece Lloyd-Hall, 18, was later jailed for a minimum of 16 years for the murder. This incident has undoubtedly influenced the current risk assessment.
However, the Metropolitan Police sought to clarify its role. A spokesperson noted, "The decision to close Primrose Hill on New Year’s Eve is one taken by the Royal Parks, not the police." They added that it was "not accurate" to link the closure directly to the disbanding of the parks policing team, pointing out that officers from that unit made up only 15 of the more than 145 officers deployed to the hill last year.
Authorities Urge Public to Make Alternative Plans
Commander Nick John, in charge of the Met's New Year's Eve policing, echoed the Royal Parks' plea for the public to stay away. "The Royal Parks are urging people not to try to gather at Primrose Hill this year and we would echo those calls," he said. "Please make alternative plans. Anyone trying to access the park will find that it is not possible."
While Scotland Yard confirmed a police presence would remain in the area to "respond to criminality," it stressed that physically preventing access to the park was the responsibility of the Royal Parks. The charity itself declined to comment further on the mounting criticism.
As London prepares to ring in the new year, the debate over public space, safety, and community access continues. The imposing barriers on Primrose Hill stand as a stark symbol of the difficult balance authorities are trying to strike in the wake of past tragedy and ongoing logistical challenges.
