Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced that the memorial to commemorate the 52 people who lost their lives in the 7 July London bombings is to be situated in Hyde Park’s Lovers’ Walk.
The memorial had initially been expected to be located in Tavistock Square where one of the attacks took place, However after further consultation with bereaved families Hyde Park “has been chosen due to its prominence, history and central London location.”
Announcing her decision Ms Jowell said “fifty two innocent people were murdered on 7 July, in the worst terrorist atrocity London has ever seen. A permanent memorial will provide a dignified and tranquil space for their friends and families – and the country – to remember them. I am very grateful to the bereaved families for the continuing involvement in planning for the memorial, and I am glad that we have been able to find a suitable location.”
A spokesperson from the 7 July bereaved families support group said “the agreed location represents the enormity of our loss, on a personal and a public level. As we wished, this site is significant, in the centre of London and in a place that is recognised throughout the world.”
The formal process to commission the memorial also began today, with an advert inviting companies to express interest in working on the project.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency will manage the work to create the memorial, in consultation with the families. The Government has committed up to £1 million to fund the memorial.
