The final design for the permanent Memorial to the 52 innocent victims killed in the London bombings on 7 July 2005 has been unveiled.
The design comprises 52 pillars, each representing one of the victims. They are grouped together in four inter-linking clusters, reflecting the four incidents, with each pillar bearing an inscription of the date and location of the particular incident that its cluster represents. It will be situated in the South East corner of Hyde Park, close to Park Lane and Lover’s Walk.
A plaque, listing the names of the murdered victims, will be sited in the grass bank at the far eastern end of the Memorial.
The Memorial has been created by a design team which has worked in close consultation with representatives of the bereaved families and advisors from The Royal Parks.
Each pillar will be three metres tall and 15-18 cms square. They will be constructed from cast stainless steel, a robust material that is very long lasting. The casting process of these pillars means that whilst they are all cast from the same mould, each one will be unique.
A planning application for the construction of the Memorial has been submitted to Westminster City Council. Subject to planning permission, work on the Memorial is expected to begin on the site in the autumn, with an official unveiling on 7 July 2009.
A representative of the bereaved families group said: “This Memorial is a fitting tribute, honouring the 52 lives lost on 7 July 2005, ensuring that the world will never forget them.
"It represents the enormity of our loss, both on a personal and public level. We hope this Memorial will speak to visitors, so they can understand the impact of these horrific events."