A MAJOR security operation planned for The Queen's visit next week will mean the public will get little opportunity to see the Royal couple, police have warned.

Laurence Cawley

A MAJOR security operation planned for The Queen's visit next week will mean the public will get little opportunity to see the Royal couple, police have warned.

The Queen visits St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds next Thursday to give out the Royal Maundy to 84 men and 84 women from the area.

But the police have warned that well-wishers and those wanting to see The Queen might struggle to get a glimpse of her and Prince Philip because of a raft of security measures planned for the visit.

The historic core of Bury will be subject to a number of closures as security cordons are put up and sweeps of the area are carried out by officers.

Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith said: “There will be pedestrian access throughout on the Wednesday, and on Maundy Thursday areas will be set aside for people who wish to greet The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as they arrive at the cathedral and then visit the Athenaeum for a reception afterwards.

“I must stress though that this visit will not give much of an opportunity to see The Queen.

“Her Majesty is visiting the cathedral to take part in a religious ceremony and will only be in public view for a very short time as the royal party moves between locations.”

Mayor of St Edmundsbury Bob Cockle said: “There will be a lot of people who will want to see both the Duke and Her Majesty. A lot of people may be disappointed - but in regard to looking after the safety of everybody I don't think the police have any choice.”

Among the closures planned, the Angel Hill and Chequer Square car parks will be closed from Tuesday until 6pm on Thursday and traffic will be barred from entering Angel Hill from its junction with Northgate Street to its junction with Churchgate Street, Crown Street from its Junction with Honey Hill to its junction to Churchgate Street or Chequer Square.

In addition, the Abbey Gardens will be closed, (although public lavatories will remain open) and traffic will be barred onto Abbeygate Street from its junction with Angel Lane, Churchgate Street from its junction with Angel Lane and the Great Church Yard closed to the general public.