Primrose Hill closures during bonfire night and New Year's Eve
Primrose Hill will be closed and locked during the bonfire night period and on New Year's Eve.
Primrose Hill will be closed and locked during the bonfire night period and on New Year's Eve.
Each year Primrose Hill closes on bonfire night at 10pm to limit anti-social behaviour, this year this will be extended, closing at 10pm each night from October 31 to November 9.
Visitors are reminded that organising large gatherings without permission and setting off fireworks or lanterns is in breach of The Royal Parks regulations, which are enforced by the Metropolitan Police.
In addition to the bonfire night closures, Primrose Hill will be closed on New Year's Eve. Following an increase in visitor numbers and a need to ensure public safety, the park will close at 8pm on December 30 and reopen at 6am on January 1.
Last year an estimated 30,000 people visited Primrose Hill to view the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve firework display. Metropolitan Police Officers were on hand to ensure public order and safety. However, in part due to the closure of The Metropolitan Police's Royal Parks Operational Command Unit in November this year, the capacity to manage crowds of this size in open parkland will be severely diminished.
The Hill will be closed off with a perimeter fence on Tuesday 30 December and will reopen on Thursday 1 January.
"The safety of all park visitors is our priority," said a spokesperson for The Royal Parks. "With the potential for such a large number of attendees, and the absence of the dedicated Royal Parks Police, we are unable to support the necessary safety and crown management arrangements. Closing Primrose Hill overnight is the only responsible course of action."
Visitors are advised to make alternative arrangements to celebrate the New Year.
Installation of the fence will begin on December 27 and be removed by January 3.
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