A planned bronze statue of a King's Troop soldier mounted on horseback has been labelled a trip hazard for blind pedestrians, sparking concerns among local residents and accessibility advocates.
Design Without a Plinth Raises Safety Issues
The £300,000 sculpture, crafted by Caroline Wallace—a former lady-in-waiting to Princess Anne—is intended for installation in St John's Wood, north-west London. However, computer-generated images shared online show the horse's tail and legs protruding at angles without a plinth, prompting fears that it could pose a risk to those with visual impairments.
The St John's Wood Society, which works to uphold high architectural standards in the area, voiced its concerns in a consultation response to Westminster City Council. "We have concerns about it being a trip hazard for the sight-impaired," the society stated. It also noted a discrepancy: "We note that the CGI does not include a plinth, but the design and access statement indicates that a plinth is included. We are awaiting further information."
Commemorating a Historic Military Unit
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, known for conducting gun salutes at major state occasions such as the King's birthday parade and royal births, was based at the former barracks in St John's Wood for over two centuries before relocating to Woolwich in 2012. According to planning documents, the statue aims to "commemorate a link with the site of the former barracks and the formation of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, at the behest of King George VI." The project is community-funded and led by Clive Beecham, a long-term resident and chocolate entrepreneur, with backing from the Royal household.
Community Gratitude and Accessibility Solutions
Mr. Beecham explained the motivation behind the statue: "This is simply a community saying, thank you for what you did. We were very sorry to see them go when they left in 2012, so we wanted something to commemorate them." He added, "If you were caught behind the King's Troop, it was the only traffic jam in London that we were prepared to accept." Addressing the safety concerns, Beecham noted, "I totally agree with the concerns and we are working with the country's foremost accessibility consultants to arrive at a solution with or without a plinth." The final design remains under discussion as the community seeks to balance commemoration with safety for all residents.
