Horse Guards turfs out civil servants' cars
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Senior civil servants have been told that their privileged car- parking spaces on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall have gone for good, writes Stephen Goodwin.
Except on state occasions,pedestrians will have free roam of the square, with its panoramic views of St James's Park and the back of Downing Street.
Ending car parking on the Parade was recommended by the Royal Parks Review Group in 1993. It said it was "quite unacceptable that so fine a space ... should be used in this way".
In June 1994, The Independent revealed that the plan had been quashed by John Major and senior cabinet ministers because of pressure from Downing Street civil servants.
At the time, about 800 people were entitled to park on Horse Guards. The number has now been cut to about 250.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments