Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to encourage the Royal Parks to close permanently the South Carriageway and the North Carriageway in Hyde Park to vehicular traffic in order to improve the quality of the environment and safety of pedestrians and cyclists in Hyde Park.

The Royal Parks manages Hyde Park on behalf of HM Government, and is responsible for decision-making about operational matters.

This is therefore an operational matter for The Royal Parks. We understand, however, that South Carriage Drive has been closed since March 2020 as part of a trial to reduce through-traffic in Hyde Park. Whilst the original trial was focused on weekend restrictions, the road has also been closed for safety reasons on weekdays during this period due to the introduction of a temporary cycle path, immediately outside the park, by Transport for London.

We understand that The Royal Parks is currently assessing evidence of the trial on the weekend restrictions, and plans to make an announcement about the closure later this year.