‘A sign of how we live now’: friction in Notting Hill over counter-terrorism barriers

Film tourists, market traders and residents react as council imposes traffic control measures on famous London street

If Richard Curtis had shot his romcom classic Notting Hill over the past month, things might have turned out very differently.

Julia Roberts would have had to stumble past huge concrete blocks while losing the hand of her British sweetheart and Hugh Grant might have missed his departing lover as he struggled to exit the area in an overstuffed Peugeot 406.