Is this because the US President is the only one that people want to assassionate?
If every world leader had the same requriemwnts then ell the 100 said to be attendingwould need a quarter of a mile motorcade which would lead to a 25 mile line to get to the cathedral.
I can see how that might be an issue in the narrow streets of London. Then where do you park them all during the service?
President Trump arrived in the back garden of Buckingham Palace in a helicopter when he saw the Queen. It landed away from the palace then taxied over to the back door but space in front of Westminster Abbey is a bit restricted. Someone has thoughtlessly placed a tall monument there as well which makes things even worse. It might just be doable if no other traffic is about and any onlookers are kept at bay.
The other issue is that, although the Abbey has been updated, little has changed since that was completed in 1269. Helipads were not a priority at that time. So not only is landing space an issue but the building itself could be damaged by the close passage of a helicopter.
The parade ground used in the Trooping of the Colour in the top right of the picture linked above is a possibility but getting 100 helicopters in and out would be tricky. Five minutes a helicopter is 500 minutes - and it is still quite a long walk from there.
I am starting to see why the new London police chief is finding it a bit of a headache. Apart from all the crowd control there is a whole stack of other logistical issues.
Is this because the US President is the only one that people want to assassionate?
If every world leader had the same requriemwnts then ell the 100 said to be attendingwould need a quarter of a mile motorcade which would lead to a 25 mile line to get to the cathedral.
I can see how that might be an issue in the narrow streets of London. Then where do you park them all during the service?
Can't Trump take a helicopter?
President Trump arrived in the back garden of Buckingham Palace in a helicopter when he saw the Queen. It landed away from the palace then taxied over to the back door but space in front of Westminster Abbey is a bit restricted. Someone has thoughtlessly placed a tall monument there as well which makes things even worse. It might just be doable if no other traffic is about and any onlookers are kept at bay.
The other issue is that, although the Abbey has been updated, little has changed since that was completed in 1269. Helipads were not a priority at that time. So not only is landing space an issue but the building itself could be damaged by the close passage of a helicopter.
The parade ground used in the Trooping of the Colour in the top right of the picture linked above is a possibility but getting 100 helicopters in and out would be tricky. Five minutes a helicopter is 500 minutes - and it is still quite a long walk from there.
I am starting to see why the new London police chief is finding it a bit of a headache. Apart from all the crowd control there is a whole stack of other logistical issues.