Harry Metcalfe

Banning photography in traf sq?

I’ve just sent this email to the GLA/DCMS, having seen reports about possible new restrictions on photography and protest and Trafalgar and Parliament Squares in the new byelaws:

Photography, film and protest in Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square Gardens

Dear Carl,

I’ve just seen the draft byelaws for Traf Sq and Parliament Sq, which have been blogged about, and widely reported on Twitter.

On my (admittedly amateur) reading of the draft byelaws, it appears that they would require any person to obtain permission before protesting or taking photographs or filming in the squares. Surely, such a sweeping restriction cannot be possibly be proportionate.

Please could you consider making these rules more permissive (for example, by not requiring permission for photography/filming/protest other than when there’s a reasonable chance that it will cause disruption), or, at the very least, make available some explanatory notes that give context to the proposed regulations?

Many thanks.

Harry Metcalfe
(Concerned amateur photographer)

CC: The Mayor, the National Union of Journalists, The Association of Photographers, Amateur Photographer

Why not take a moment to send an email as well? The more, the better:

Any objection to the confirmation of the Byelaws may be made by letter addressed to Carl Schnackenberg, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH, or by email to:Carl.Schnackenberg@Culture.gsi.gov.uk.

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