2012-02-21
By Deborah Ritchie
On 22nd February the emergency services and other agencies will be taking part in an exercise to test responses to an incident on the underground system.
This will include an emergency response by the Met, British Transport Police, London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service at the disused Aldwych tube station.
To facilitate "Exercise Forward Defensive" Surrey Street, WC2R will be closed between the Strand and Temple Place from 0700 until 1900 on 22nd February.
The exercise is part of a national counter terrorism exercise programme, run by the Home Office, but is a key part of the testing of the readiness for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Speaking to CIR about the exercise, Peter Power of Visor Consultants says, "There have already been many counter terrorist exercises in the run up to the Olympic Games in a few weeks time, although not all have been made public or held in London. Some exercises have been carried out as far afield as Weymouth where a lot of sailing activities will soon take place.
"Tomorrow’s exercise is slightly unusual insofar that some information has recently been made public as the disruption above ground will be obvious. It’s worth noting that nearly 10 years ago a very similar exercise, code named Osiris 2, took place deep underground at Bank tube station. Many thought that was more of a public relations event than a real test and was therefore different from what we can expect tomorrow where the focus is on the obvious threats linked to the Games that are fast approaching".
For further information about this exercise can be found at met.police.uk
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