Windsor locals livid after ‘rude’ Trump’s security refuse to move motorcade
Windsor residents say they are ‘powerless’ to act after being shut out of a beauty spot and finding their parking spaces blocked as Donald Trump’s drivers flout the rules in executive vehicles.
Locals have complained about chauffeurs refusing to move the large people carriers from their designated spaces outside the castle and even being rude when asked to move.
They were also left frustrated at the closure of The Long Walk, an historic, tree-lined avenue stretching almost 2.5 miles from the ancient fortress into Windsor Great Park in Berkshire.
The pathway, where residents walk dogs and exercise, was hidden by an 8ft-high security screen rumoured to have cost £250,000 to build.
Metro understands from locals that the hoardings were dubbed ‘The Great Wall of Trump’, and when the metal ran out at the farthest point from the castle, wood was used to finish the job.
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One resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘These huge executive cars and limousines are blocking residents’ parking spaces, mainly in Park Street at the top of The Long Walk by Windsor Castle.
‘They have not been using the pay-and-display parking and have instead been using the residents’ spaces, sometimes parking over the lines to make sure they don’t get dented and have enough space.
‘When asked to move, they have been getting aggressive or just ignoring us. One driver basically responded with, “sling your hook.”
‘There was a resident who threatened to block one of the cars in to prove a point, at which point the police threatened to tow it away.
‘The parking wardens did take an interest at one point, at which point the security told the drivers to put their bonnets and back doors up, and eventually the wardens just let them be.
‘We feel powerless, especially as there are American secret service people milling around, controlling all these cabs.’
The disruption was at its height at the state banquet in the castle last night, where King Charles and the US President, who is being accompanied by First Lady Melania on the trip, made speeches.
The security screen has since been taking down, with deer being able to roam across the path once again.
But residents who spoke to Metro say the disruption has been ongoing even before Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday for his three-day visit.
Dignitaries were then carried to and from the banquet in Mercedes V Class people carriers and S-Class saloons as the main event took place.
‘People are really fed up with it,’ the local said.
‘When asked, the police don’t do anything or offer any support.
‘One officer said it was because he was from a different part of the country — there are police here from Kent, Staffordshire, Wales and Scotland, judging from the markings on the vans.
‘It’s also caused huge disruption to businesses locally who have been unable to park for work, while the street cleaner says he’s done nothing but pick up cigarette butts and coffee cups — people have trashed the place.
‘Then there’s the Great Wall of Trump around The Long Walk, which took three days to put up and had to be finished with wood.
‘The visit’s had a massive impact but it’s the locals who are paying the cost, while Trump will probably change his mind about any warm overtures to the prime minister on the flight home.’
The person, who lives a few hundred feet from the castle, added that the disruption came after three successive rises in council tax and the withdrawal of free entry to the castle through an Advantage Card, a move taken by the tourist attraction’s owners.
Other disruption during the president’s state visit has included multiple closures to the River Thames between Old Windsor Lock and Windsor and Eton Footbridge, which will continue until Friday.
Castle Hill road is also shut for the week, preventing vehicle deliveries or pick-ups for businesses and residents.
Arguments that the trip will bring a huge financial boon in the form of tech and AI deals carried little weight with locals.
Henry Cornwell, a fudge salesman who works opposite the castle, said: ‘I don’t really care that much about the visit in all honesty.
‘I think it’s an absolute waste of money.
‘The only time they ever put flags up and down this street is when someone comes to visit the castle.
‘They won’t fix anything about the town.
‘When anyone comes over they push all the homeless people out of town for X amount of time, rather than solving the issue.
‘There are cracks in the road, a lady broke her ankle on Peascod Street recently, yet they won’t fix that, yet they will put all of our taxpayers’ money into making Windsor look really nice for the day.
‘They won’t even clean the streets on any other day of the week but they will do the most they can just for Trump.’
The cost of protecting the state visit will be around £10 million in a ‘conservative estimate’ given by security specialist Will Geddes.
In a statement on its website, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead said: ‘The Royal Borough is working with Thames Valley Police, the Crown Estate and other key partners, to minimise disruption to those that live and work in Windsor, or plan to visit.’
On its website, the police force says: ‘The force has a comprehensive security operation to ensure the safety of all involved while minimising disruption to the local community and businesses. As such, the force will have resources everywhere across the town, including in the air, on land and on the waterways in order to keep everyone safe.’
Thames Valley Police referred Metro to the local authority for comment.
The council has been approached for comment.
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