Question

To ask The Senior Deputy Speaker whether the pedestrian walkway that will be reinstated as part of the final full scaffolding build will enable peers to (1) use the pavement on the eastern side of Millbank and Abingdon Street, and (2) access the pedestrian walkway continuously from Black Rod’s Garden to about 40 meters south of Peers' Entrance; if not, why not; and what is the planned timescale for the completion of the full scaffolding build.

Once the pedestrian routes closed during the current phase of works to Victoria Tower are reinstated, they will enable peers and others to make full use of the pavement on the eastern side of Millbank and Abingdon Street and also access the permanent visitor and passholder entrances at Black Rod’s Garden entrance, which will reopen. The full scaffolding build is currently due to complete in mid-2028. However, we plan to reinstate pedestrian access well ahead of that, and subject to the necessary enabling works and gantry installation being delivered on schedule, this is currently expected to be possible in the second quarter of 2027.