Residents complain that tourists sit on the bollards and take photos of the famous street, whilst disabled residents are prevented from driving to their homes - Ben Montgomery

Notting Hill residents are taking legal action after being being “imprisoned” in their houses by concrete barriers set up to prevent terror attacks.

Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council put in place controversial “hostile vehicle mitigation” measures down Portobello Road as part of counter-terrorism guidance issued by the Metropolitan Police.

The large concrete bollards and temporary barriers are dotted along the famed street in an effort to protect residents, traders and tourists from potential vehicle-based terror attacks.

“H-stop” barriers and concrete bollards have been put in place around Notting Hill to prevent potential vehicle-based terror attacks - Ben Montgomery for The Telegraph

Residents of Portobello Road – which played a starring role in the Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts romantic comedy film Notting Hill – are now launching a legal challenge against the council.

Law firm Broadfield, which represents the residents, claim the new security barriers were introduced without consultation and effectively stop residents accessing their homes by vehicle between 10am and 4pm every day of the week.

They claim affected parties include elder and infirm individuals, young families, doctors and local shop and market traders.

Patrick Somers, a resident involved in the legal action said: “We feel trapped in our houses.”

He described that in order to get access in or out of their street “you have to drive to the barrier and just sort of wait for someone in a high-vis to turn up”.

Philippe van den Abeele, who lives on the road, argued he should have the right to park in front of his own house.

“There are better ways of securing the road, like bollards that go up and down, much nicer. But the council just doesn’t want to spend the money, and they haven’t consulted residents,” he said.

A security guard, standing by one of the “H-stop” barriers defended the scheme, claiming its aim is “to stop terrorism”. He argued that “many attacks from all over the world have happened, using cars”.

A number of residents have also complained that only emergency vehicles are exempt, with disabled blue badge holders not able to access the street.

‘We feel trapped, you have to drive to the barrier and wait for someone in a high-vis to turn up’, says Patrick Somers, right, pictured with other local residents, Anisa Hiley and Dr Crispin Hiley - Ben Montgomery for The Telegraph

Kapu Lewis said he “can no longer care for a relative with disability issues because it’s almost impossible to get a vehicle to the property.”

However, the council claim that the blue badge issue has been addressed, with new bays and drop-off areas created to support those with mobility issues.

Mr Somers said traders and business owners on the market street are also struggling since the introduction of the road blocks, warning that “it’ll seriously impact their livelihoods”.

He added that “one local shop has already seen its takings drop by 50 per cent” because customers – who rely on their cars to take purchases home – can no longer park near the shops.

Judy Fox, an antique dealer who’s been trading in Notting Hill for over 50 years, said: “The council has imprisoned us here. Customers cannot get in to collect large antiques. People just use [the blocks] to sit on and take photographs.”

One local shop on Portobello Road has already seen its takings drop by 50 per cent since the barriers were erected - Alexander Spatari

However, the council maintains that the barriers are a requirement to ensure public safety.

A council spokesman said: “Our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the community and we believe the current measures strike a reasonable balance between protecting the public and supporting the needs of individuals.”

Despite these worries, the council insists that changes are necessary to combat the growing threat of vehicle-based terrorism.

The spokesman added: “The temporary Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order on Portobello Road was introduced to protect residents, traders, and visitors from the potential threat of vehicle attacks during busy trading periods.”

The Met Police declined to comment.

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