Film tourists, market traders and residents react as council imposes traffic control measures on famous London street
If Richard Curtis had shot his romcom classic Notting Hill over the past month, things might have turned out very differently.
Julia Roberts would have had to stumble past huge concrete blocks while losing the hand of her British sweetheart and Hugh Grant might have missed his departing lover as he struggled to exit the area in an overstuffed Peugeot 406.
This is because of new rules that ban all cars from Portobello Road between 10am and 4pm, where much of the 1999 film was shot. In some sections of the famed street market the restrictions cover the whole week, while in others only three days. To enforce the new rules, large grey concrete slabs and garish red barriers have been placed along the street.
Amid the bustle of Portobello Road market on Friday afternoon, tourists were lining up outside Will Thacker’s famed blue door to have their picture taken. “It feels like I’m watching the movie again,” said Ella, 14, a fan of the hit romantic comedy. Metres away from the door, which was replaced after being sold at auction for £5,750 in 1999, sat the concrete blocks and imposing barriers.
