Traffic blocked in heart of London ahead of Thatcher funeral

A huge area in downtown London has been cleared of traffic ahead of Lady Thatcher’s funeral ceremony.

All the way from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the funeral route has been closed for traffic and barriers have been put in place to ward off crowds of people who are expected to swarm the heart of London to see the procession. Heavy police presence has also been reported.

Scotland Yard’s Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said there was no reason to think the British capital was less safe following the Boston Marathon attack, but added people would certainly be more vigilant in its aftermath.

Anti-Thatcher protesters are expected to stage demonstrations in Trafalgar Square or along the funeral route on The Strand. Some anti-Thatcherites said they were going to turn their backs on the procession as the coffin would be driven by on its hearse. Scotland Yard said rallies were not prohibited but called on protesters to make them peaceful.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron expresses his sorrow on Twitter saying: “Margaret Thatcher saved Britain.” Mr. Cameron is to speak at the funeral ceremony that starts in St. Paul’s at 11am local time.