Portobello Road barriers removed for Carnival

Some locals and street traders have objected to the barriers

A series of concrete barriers that prompted legal action when they were installed at a popular west London destination will be temporarily removed for the Notting Hill Carnival.

Portobello Road in Notting Hill, famous for its outdoor antiques stalls, was fitted in July with what the local council called "hostile vehicle mitigation measures" - 31 concrete barriers to deter vehicle attacks on the area.

Kensington and Chelsea Council confirmed the blocks would be removed for two weeks from Monday, while road closures will remain on market days between 10:00 BST and 16:00 with temporary barriers being used.

Residents and market traders claimed the concrete barriers left them feeling "imprisoned".

Portobello Road is a popular destination for antique collectors and tourists

The council said the concrete blocks will be temporarily removed for Notting Hill Carnival "to ensure people can move freely and safely during the event".

The event, held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, is one of the world's biggest outdoor events and is thought to attract up to two million people to the Notting Hill area.

A council spokesperson said the barriers "will be removed between Monday 18 August and Friday 22 August following advice from the Metropolitan Police and Carnival's Safety Group to improve crowd safety.

"Road closures will remain in place on market days between 10am and 4pm with temporary barriers.

"The blocks will be reinstated by Monday 1 September, and road surfaces will be repaired as works take place."

Kensington and Chelsea installed the concrete blocks at each junction between Golborne Road and Chepstow Villas.

Between the blocks are temporary barriers called H-Stops, that are wheeled into place every morning, locked in their spots and then removed in the afternoon.

The council said the temporary order allowing the barriers was introduced following counter-terrorism guidance issued by the Metropolitan Police to protect people - and said it would consult with residents over a permanent solution.

The Notting Hill area hosts up to two million people over Carnival weekend

Lawyers representing a group of residents sent a letter to the council, expressing their intention to challenge the Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order.

As well as the barriers, vehicles have also been banned from using the road between 10:00 and 16:00 for either three or seven days a week, depending on the section of the street.

Locals say the measures, which were introduced over fears of vehicles being driven into pedestrians, means emergency services, delivery trucks and taxi cabs are unable to reach them.

The Carnival parade takes place along a three-mile (5km) route around Notting Hill on Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.

It features masquerade dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems, and attracts huge crowds of spectators.

Roads near the route are closed throughout the weekend due to the high number of people attending.